Alabama Gymnastics Signs Four to Letters of Intent
11/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
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Melanie Banville, Cassie Martin, Courtney Priess and Bianca Puello have all committed to the Crimson Tide and will join the Tide for the 2005-06 season.
“We’re very pleased to have these young women join our program,” Patterson said. “They were all attracted to The University of Alabama by our gymnastics program, but they were additionally convinced that this is the place for them due to the academic opportunities that are available. The honors programs and our rapid rise in the national standings as an academic institution played a role in their decision.
“Each of them wants to be a part of the type of program we strive to run, with a balance of athletics, academics, and service to others. They are all extraordinary athletes, but more importantly, they are wonderful people that should thrive in the environment here.”
Banville, a member of the 2004 Canadian Olympic team, hails from Long Sault, Ontario. She won the all-around at the Canadian Olympic trials, was a finalist at the Athens Olympics and took fifth in the all-around at the 2003 Pan-American Games. The daughter of Christine and Gerry Banville, she is coached by Tobie Goreman and Lori Iurello at Ottawa Gymnastics Center. Banville is only the second international athlete to compete for Alabama, following All-American Natalie Barrington of Mississauga, Canada (1999-2002). A senior at Gloucester High School, Banville was a member of the Canadian 2003 World Championship team.
Martin, the 2004 Level 10 National All-Around Champion, is from Olney, Maryland. The daughter of Melba and Dan Martin, she is coached by Kelli Hill and Hill’s Angel Gymnastics, the same gym that produced Tide All-American Raegan Tomasek and 2004 NCAA All-Around Champion Jeana Rice. A senior honor roll student at Magruder High School, Martin was a member of the Level 10 National Team.
Priess, an all-around finalist at the 2002 and 2003 Level 10 National Championships, is a native of Hamilton, Ohio. The daughter of Linda and Mel Priess, she is coached by Mary Lee Tracey at Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy. A senior at Lakota West High School, Priess took second in the all-around at the 1999 Level 10 National Championships. A six year Level 10 National Qualifier, she was sixth in the all-around at the 2003 Level 10 National Championships and seventh in 2002. A senior Lakota West High School, Priess is a member of the National Honor Society
Puello, finaled in the all-around at the 2004 Level 10 National Championships, is a native of Marion, Ill. She is the daughter of Lynette and Mike Foster and is coached by Scott Belanger and Christi Kearns at Southern Illinois Gymnastics Academy. A senior at Goreville High School, where she is president of the Beta Club, Puello competed as an International Elite and was the 2001 Level 10 National Uneven Bars Champion.
And while Patterson, in her 27th season at Alabama, has secured the freshman class of 2006, the current edition of the Tide is hard at work preparing for the 2005 season which gets underway Jan. 7 with the Super Six Challenge in Gainesville, Fla.
