LEXINGTON, Ky. ? University of Kentucky Head Coach Mo Mitchell announced the addition of Jasmine Minion to the UK gymnastics squad Monday. Minion joins the Cats from Utah State.

The incoming sophomore tied for second at the NCAA North Central Regional after leading the competition for five rotations with a 9.9. Despite being edged out of first place by Utah?s Christina Baskett?s, 9.925, Minion still qualified for Nationals along with Arkansas? Michelle Stout and Utah?s Ashley Postell who also notched scores of 9.9. Minion earned the America First Credit Union Utah State Student-Athlete of the Week for her performance at regionals.

The Memphis, Tenn., native?s 9.9 was not only a career best, but also the third-highest score in Utah State history and makes her one of eight different Aggie gymnasts to post the high score. Utah State tallied six individual event scores for the record books with Minion claiming four of the high marks. She holds three of the top-five school records on vault and also holds the fourth-highest score on floor with a 9.9.

In March Minion was named to the second-team All-WAC honorees. She was also named WAC Gymnastics Specialist of the Week after her performance at a Texas Woman?s quad meet which involved the Kentucky Wildcats as well. Minion tied for the floor exercise title with UK?s Emily Green and Hillary Ferguson with a 9.9.

Prior to her college career, Minion competed as a Level 10 gymnast for Gus Vandervoot at River City Gymnastics. She placed eighth in the all-around at the Eastern Regionals, finishing first on the floor exercise, and in 2006 at the Junior Olympic Nationals, Minion was 26th in the all-around and eighth on vault.

Minion graduated from Bolton High School with a 3.1 grade point average. She is the daughter of Terence and Chiquita Minion.

For complete coverage of Kentucky gymnastics, please visit www.ukathletics.com.