Kentucky gymnastics first-year head coach Hajile ?Mo? Muhammad announced Friday the signing of two recruits who will join Wildcats? program for the 2005 season. Kristen Kaufman, from San Antonio, Texas, and Amanda Coates of Lansing, Mich., became the latest gymnasts to sign letters of intent to compete for Muhammad?s team next season.

Kaufman is a three-time JO Nationals qualifier as a Level 10 gymnast who will come to Kentucky from South Texas Gymnastics in San Antonio. In 2001, Kaufman finished 14th all-around at JO Nationals and in 2000 she finished fifth all-around at the USA IGC Nationals. In addition to being an outstanding gymnast, Kaufman is a standout student in the classroom as well. She is on pace to graduate first in her class of 800 students at Ronald Reagan H.S. Kaufman is the fifth gymnast from the state of Texas to sign with the Wildcats in two years.

?Kristen is strong academically and one of the hardest working kids we?ll have in this program next year,? Muhammad said. ?When I went to watch her train in recruiting I realized her work ethic is second to none. We want to put this team back where it used to be athletically and academically with quality student-athletes like Kristen.?

Coates is a multi-National qualifier and is set to make an international trip with the best gymnasts in the Midwest region. She has trained at Geddert?s Twistars USA gymnastics club, one of the top gyms in the country, for the last seven years.

?Amanda is a strong all-around gymnast,? Muhammad said. ?She?s the first kid we?ve gotten from Twistars gym and she will help us on every event. Amanda is a perfect fit for what we?re trying to create here at UK.?

The early signing period ends Wednesday, Nov. 19.