April 22, 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky gymnastics team signed Caitlyn “Cujo” Ciokajlo (pronounced Cha-ky-lo) to the 2010 squad head coach Mo Mitchell announced Wednesday afternoon. The Brooklyn, Mich., native joins December signee Bethany Larimer and walk-on Caitlin Satkowiak as part of the 2010 freshmen class.

At 5’0″, Ciokajlo looks to accomplish big things at Kentucky both athletically and academically. Currently she is headed to Seattle, Wash., to compete in the Junior Olympic National meet after finishing fourth at the 2009 Regional competition. Larimer will also be attending Nationals. Earlier this year Ciokajlo finished first on the uneven bars and second on the floor exercise at the 2009 Level 10 State competition.

In 2008 Ciokajlo also competed at the Level 10 State meet placing first on both the uneven parallel bars and on the floor exercise. During the same competition she placed second on vault and went on to take second for her all-around performance. Following the state meet Ciokajlo placed first on the uneven bars again at the Level 10 Regional meet while hitting second on vault, third all-around and fourth on floor. Ciokajlo was named a member of the 2008 Region 5 All-Star team.

The daughter of Stacy and Joseph Ciokajlo studied at Kaplan College Preparatory School achieving a more than perfect grade point average and reaching honor roll status all semesters. Ciokajlo plans to study science while at UK and holds great interest in the fields of astrophysics, planetary geology and astronomy.

“Caitlyn will make an immediate impact on the team,” Mitchell said. “She is very strong on bars and floor especially. She is extremely talented both in the gym and in the classroom. I am looking forward to working with Cujo and am excited about all that she will bring to the UK gymnastics program.”

The 2010 gymnastics season kicks off in January.