BYU Inks Four Gymnasts For 2011

PROVO -- The BYU gymnastics team has announced the signings of Megan Bain, Leslie Bell, Kaycee Gassaway and Raquel Willman to national letters of intent for the 2011 season.

Each joins the Cougars after very successful club careers as Level 10 competitors. Bain, from Sandy, Utah, trained at All-American Gymnastics in Lindon. Bell, will come to BYU from Orlando Metro Gymnastics in Florida. Gassaway, a native of Vancuver, Wash., trained at Naydenov Gymnastics. Willman will join the Cougars after training in Phoenix, Ariz., at the Phoenix Gymnastics Academy.

“This recruiting class from top to bottom is the best we have had in several years,” BYU head coach Brad Cattermole said. “Each of these gymnasts have the ability to come in and make an impact immediately.”

Bain was a Level 10 National competitor at All-American. In her first year competing as a Level 10 gymnast, she placed second in the all-around at regionals. She went on to tie for 23rd in the 2009 Junior Olympic National Championships, placing 4th on the uneven parallel bars.

Bell was injured during the 2009 season with an ACL injury. She competed in the 2008 Junior Olympic Championships placing 35th in the all-around after consistently performing on each apparatus. She was recruited by a number of different universities including the University of Utah.

Gassaway has competed in the USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics Level 10 National Championships five times. She finished in a tie for 14th in her age group this year. She won the uneven parallel bars national title in 2006.

Willman finished 14th in the all-around in the 2009 Regional Championships in her division. In the same meet she finished first on the bars. In 2008, she finished first in the Arizona Optional State Championships.

The early signing period ended Nov. 18.