Kentucky Gymnastics adds Coca, Kwan and Allen to the Fold

LEXINGTON, Ky. – With Nov. 11 marking the beginning of the national signing period, Kentucky gymnastics is excited to announce the addition of Katrina Coca, Alaina Kwan and Erynne Allen. 

“This incoming class is going to have an incredible impact on our team,” said head coach Tim Garrison. “We’ve had a few really great classes come through to this point and have another strong class coming in now. Even though we only have a few people coming in, they are outstanding athletes in their own right and great people.”

Katrina Coca

Stillwater, Okla. – Dynamo Gymnastics – Stillwater High School

Coca, a Level 10 gymnast from Stillwater, Okla., joins the Wildcats after a successful pre-college career with Dynamo Gymnastics in Oklahoma City, Okla., in which she had breakout seasons in 2014 and 2015. Coca finished second at the Oklahoma state championships in 2015, earning runner-up finishes on vault, bars and floor while placing fifth in the beam. In the 2015 regionals, she earned the Region 3 crown, finishing in first in the bars (9.675), floor (9.550) and all-around (38.400). Coca also earned first place finishes in 2014 at the state and regional meets in all-around. In the 2014 state meets she swept top honors in every category, with a final score of 37.250 to take the all-around state title. She was named a Region 3 national team member in 2014 and 2015. Coca, the daughter of Erik and Stephanie Coca, is slated to graduate from Stillwater High School in December. 

Garrison on Coca: “Katrina’s an outstanding junior Olympic kid. Even more than that, she’s a strong-minded kid and a tough competitor.  She drove herself an hour and a half from home to the airport to get here on her visit, she’s that kind of kid. She’s responsible and a strong-willed competitor. I’ve known her coach for some time and he sings her praises. I’ve seen her in competition and she demonstrates that every time she’s on the floor.” 

Alaina Kwan

Cypress, Ca. – AOGC – Cypress High School

Kwan, an Elite Level gymnast from Cypress, Cali., comes to UK following an impressive pre-college career with AOGC In Los Angeles. Kwan is the first ever world championship qualifier to sign at Kentucky, qualifying for the 2015 championships in Scotland. In 2015, Kwan was a state champion in level 10 and earned a Regional floor championship scoring a 9.650, while earning bronze in all-around with a 38.425 overall score. Kwan qualified for nationals at level 10, but forewent the competition to train and qualify as an Elite. She qualified for the United States Classic and placed seventh on the floor and ninth in all-around at the meet. Kwan, the daughter of Andy and Amy, is set to graduate from Cypress High School this May. 

Garrison on Kwan: “Alaina is a terrific athlete and recently competed in the world championships. She’s the first Elite-level athlete we’ve brought in since my time at UK. She’s an outstanding athlete with outstanding accomplishments. I think she’ll do nothing but improve and blossom once she’s here and we can’t wait to have her.”

Erynne Allen

Powder Springs, Ga. –Paulding Gymnastics – South Paulding High School

Allen, a Level 10 gymnast who competed at Paulding Gymnastics, rounds out the 2017 recruiting class. On the floor, Allen most recently qualified for Regionals after claiming the gold in the all-around and vault at Georgia’s state meet. Off the floor, Allen has an impressive academic record while acting as a member of the National Honors Society, English Honors Society and Beta Club at South Paulding high school, where she is expected to graduate in the spring. She is the daughter of Tammara and Aaron Allen.

Garrison on Allen: “Erynne is an extremely powerful and gifted gymnast that will compete for spots in all line-ups.  Mature beyond her years, she is an equally impressive person of great character & we feel fortunate to have her joining our team next year.”  

The Wildcats kick off the 2016 season with the Blue/White scrimmage on Sun., Dec. 13 at a time still to be determined. The scrimmage will serve as a preview to the 2016 season, with the season opener Excite Night set for Fri., Jan. 8 against Ball State at 7 p.m. All home meets will be held in Memorial Coliseum. 

For complete news and updates on the Kentucky Gymnastics program, go to UKathletics.com. Breaking news, behind-the-scenes updates and more can be found on Twitter at @UKGymnastics and Facebook at Facebook.com/UKGymnastics.