Gymnastics Signs Three to National Letters of Intent
11/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Nov. 16, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of Alabama Gymnastics team signed three student-athletes, Ashley Sledge, Marissa Gutierrez and Caitlin Sullivan, to national letters of intent during the early signing period, head coach Sarah Patterson announced.
“We’re very excited to have these ladies join the Alabama gymnastics family,” Patterson, in her 31st season at Alabama, said. “All three of them are tremendous athletes who will be able to help us in a variety of areas. Most importantly to us though is that they are committed to excellence in both the gym and the classroom.”
Ashley Sledge
Ashley Sledge said that she made the decision to compete for the Crimson Tide a long time ago.
“I lived in Birmingham, Ala. until I was 9, so I was always a Bama fan,” Sledge said. “I began attending the Alabama Gymnastics Camps when I was 6 years old and it was then that I decided I wanted to go to the University of Alabama. The Alabama gymnasts were my heroes and I was determined to be just like them.”
Even though she grew up an Alabama gymnastics fan, Sledge’s recruiting trip to Tuscaloosa showed her the complete Crimson Tide picture.
“I loved the gym and the coaches of course,” Sledge said. “But I really got to see other parts of the University that I hadn't seen before. I immediately fell in love with the school.”
Knowing Sledge since she started as a gymnasts gave Patterson the opportunity to watch her develop as a gymnast and a person over the years.
“We have known Ashley since she was six and started coming to our camp in the summers, so we have literally watched her grow up,” Patterson said. “A tremendous all-around competitor, Alabama fans will love her explosiveness and powerful vault and tumbling skills.”
A native of Fairview Heights, Ill., Sledge is coached by Donna Berutti, Patrick Hulliung and Scott King at World Class Gymnastics. She was named the Region 5 Athlete of the Year after winning the 2005 Junior Olympic National All-Around title. In 2007 she was third in the all-around at J.O. Nationals after winning the Illinois State All-Around Championship. Sledge, who twice attended camps at the Olympic Training Center, won the all-around at both the 2008 Navy Pier and Circle of Stars meets.
The daughter of Ashley and Sandra Sledge, she attends Belleville East High School where she has been on the honor roll her entire career.
Marissa Gutierrez
It didn’t take Marissa Gutierrez long to figure out that Alabama was the place for her.
“I absolutely fell in love with the campus the minute I saw it,” she said. “I love the atmosphere and just everything about it. The coaching staff is amazing as well as the team.”
She is coached by Debbie Kaitchuk and Deana Parish, who also mentored former Alabama NCAA Champion André Pickens, and JP Lavacheny at The WGA Texans.
“Marissa possesses a wonderful combination of power and style and great balance as an all-around competitor that will make her an immediate fan favorite,” Patterson said.
At the 2006 Junior Olympic National Championships, the Houston, Texas native earned silver on the vault. She finished sixth on the vault and 15th in the all-around at the 2005 J.O. Championships. She also won the 2008 Texas State vault and balance beam titles.
The daughter of Mario and Ana Gutierrez, she attends Clear Brook High School.
Caitlin Sullivan
Caitlin Sullivan is wasting no time getting her Alabama career started. The Elkhart, Ind. native is slated to graduate from high school early and plans on joining the Crimson Tide this spring.
“Caitlin wanted to be a part of the 2009 team and she was able to accelerate her graduation and make that happen,” Patterson said. “She’ll be a great addition to the team. Her beautiful lines and wonderful artistic gymnastics make her a joy to watch.“
It was the Crimson Tide’s balance that played the biggest part in Sullivan’s decision to join Alabama.
“Alabama has a great reputation for being both academically and athletically successful,” Sullivan said. “I love the coaching staff and the team. The campus is beautiful as well. It is a perfect fit for me and has everything I am looking for in a university.”
A member of the 2003-04 USA National team, Sullivan was fifth in the all-around and second on the floor exercise at the 2003 USA National Championships. She also took sixth in the all-around at the American Classic that same year. She was the 2002 Junior Olympic All-Around Champion, taking second on the floor exercise and balance beam and earning a place on the J.O. National Team as well.
Sullivan, who is coached by Shannon Hunt at Cutting Edge Athletics, finished 10th in the all-around at the 2008 J.O. Nationals as well as taking fourth on the balance beam and seventh on the floor exercise.
The daughter of Daniel and Cindy Sullivan, she attends Elkhart Central High School where she has been a four-year member of the honor roll. Co-captain of the Elkhart Central gymnastics team in 2007, she also competed in track and field, earning rookie of the year honors after her initial season pole vaulting.
