LEXINGTON, Ky. ? The University of Kentucky gymnastics program has signed Natalie Rubinstein, Ashley Armour, and Heather Hite to national letters of intent, UK coach Hajile ?Mo? Muhammad announced Thursday.
Rubinstein, one of Florida?s top Level 10 gymnasts, is a four-time Junior Olympic National qualifier while Amour is a two-time Junior Olympic National qualifier. Hite, a Parkersburg, W.Va., native, is a three-time Junior Olympic National qualifier.
?I consider these gymnasts to be the top three signee?s in the country that best fit the guiding principles of our program,? said Muhammad. ?They will go a long way in contributing to the overall success of our program. I feel that their work ethic and community activism is reflected in their character.?
Rubinstein, a Hollywood, Fla., native, attends South Broward High School and has extensive national experience competing for Park Avenue Gymnastics. She qualified for the National Junior Olympics in 1997 and 2000 and 2003-04, claiming sixth on the bars in 2003. In 2004 Rubinstein blossomed, claiming bronze on the beam and fourth on the floor at the National Junior Olympics. The same year, at the Region 8 Championships, she captured third on the bars and placed fifth in the all-around.
?Natalie is quite the all-around gymnast. She has had enormous achievements in the Junior Olympic program,? said Muhammad. ?Her accomplishments at USA national competitions show her commitment and hard work. We feel Natalie will bring us closer to our goal of becoming a top 10 team.?
Armour hails from Hull, Ga., where she attends Madison County High School and competes for Classic City Gymnastics. Claiming three titles at the Georgia State Championships on the vault, floor and all-around, Armour brings a solid all-around presence to UK. Amour claimed first at the Region 8 Championships on the vault and floor and finished fifth in the all-around. As a National Junior Olympic performer, she finished fifth on the vault, third on the floor and eighth in the all-around in 2001. In 2004 at the Junior Olympics she claimed second on the vault and third on the floor. Ashley was also student council president all four years of high school, serves on the Georgia Student Advisory Council and State Youth Leadership Board for FCCLA.
?Ashley brings knowledge of collegiate gymnastics with her and, more than that, knowledge of SEC gymnastics,? said Muhammad. ?With the SEC being the best conference in the country, the level of competition won?t be a surprise to her. I am looking forward to all that she brings to our program.?
Hite, a Parkersburg, W. Va., native joins UK with a collection of top-tier performances from Gymniks Gymnastics. She is a four-time USAG Talent Opportunity Program national-team member as well as the 2004 West Virginia State Champion in the all-around. Hite also claimed the beam title, was third on the vault and fourth in the all-around at the 2004 Region 7 Championships.
?Heather is perfect for our program. She is accustomed to working out 20 hours a week and being able to perform,? said Muhammad. ?She has been a national qualifier for three straight years and is well on her way for a fourth. She has proved that she can compete under pressure and has set goals for her collegiate career that fall in line with our program?s goals.?
The trio will join the Kentucky gymnastics program for the 2006 season.
?All of them have the personality and gymnastics talent that we are looking for to further elevate our program,? said Muhammad. ?We feel the acquisition of these recruits will further our endeavors to make UK gymnastics a national powerhouse.?
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