Four gymnasts sign with BYU

PROVO, Utah — BYU gymnastics head coach Guard Young announced the signing of four new gymnasts Friday with recruits from Utah and California.

Haley Pitou, Abbey Miner, Abby Beeston and Melanie Lockhart signed their National Letters of Intent for the BYU gymnastics 2017-18 season.

“I’m really impressed with the three girls from Utah who trained at the All American Gymnastics and how prepared those gymnasts are when they come to college,” Young said. “We also have former and current gymnasts who trained at Wildfire Gymnastics; they’re very Cougar friendly." 

Haley Pitou

Hometown: Park City, Utah

School: Park City High School 

Gym: All American Gymnastics

Coaches: Jimmy Pratt and Dawn Johnson

Event(s): All-around

Reasons for interest in BYU: “BYU’s academics are a step above everyone. I’m excited to compete in college gymnastics.”

In 2016, Pitou was a national qualifier, regional all-around bronze medalist and regional/state bars champion, where she scored a personal-high 9.8.

“Haley Pitou is amazing on bars. We’re really looking forward to her coming in and being a starter on bars,” Young said. "She’s also very powerful on vault. I see her being a big contributor on that event as well."

Abbey Miner

Hometown: Mapleton, Utah

School: Maple Mountain High School

Gym: All American Gymnastics 

Coaches: Jimmy Pratt and Dawn Johnson

Event(s): All-around

Reasons for interest in BYU: “It’s pretty close to home and I love the environment.”

Miner took first at state multiple times competing on Level 10 and once on Level 9. At nationals, she placed second on vault and fifth on floor. Miner has also recorded a personal-best 9.8 on vault. 

“Abbey has had some struggles injury-wise.The fact that she’s overcome some major obstacles and can still compete at a high level is very impressive," Young said. "I think she can help us in the all-around. She can come in right away and contribute on every event."

Abby Beeston

Hometown: Lehi, Utah

School: Skyridge High School

Gym: All American Gymnastics 

Coaches: Jimmy Pratt and Dawn Johnson

Event(s): All-around

Reasons for interest in BYU: “I love the gymnastics team, the campus and the whole school in general.”

Beeston won the regional bar title competing on Level 10 in 2016. As a Level 9 gymnast, she also placed third in all-around at westerns in 2015.

“Abby Beeston is what we call a late bloomer,” Young said. "To be honest, she was on our radar as potential walk-on, but she’s earned herself a scholarship. If I did not sign her, she would go somewhere else. We found her at the right time and we can’t wait for her to be a Cougar next year." 

Melanie Lockhart

Hometown: Tustin, California

School: Foothill High School

Gym: Wildfire Gymnastics 

Coaches: Rick Watson, Hayley Watson, Whitney Dames, Stephanie Calvert and Tom Wakeling

Event(s): All-around

Reasons for interest in BYU: “My parents and all of my siblings went here. It's always been my dream school. It has good academics, good people and a good atmosphere.”

Lockhart placed second in all-around, first on beam and third on vault at the 2016 Region 1 Championships. That same year, she also finished fifth on vault, sixth on floor and 12th in all-around at the Junior Olympic Nationals. Lockhart has recorded a person-high 38.175 on all-around.

“Melanie had a great season last year as a junior. She was one-tenth away from winning Region 1 championships,” Young said. "Her vault is one of the best in the country. I think she can come in and be a huge vaulter for us."