Tiger Gymnastics Inks Three to National Letters of Intent
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Nov. 20, 2007 Columbia, Mo. - The Missouri Gymnastics squad and Head Coach Rob Drass have announced the signing of three prospects for the upcoming 2009 season. Drass, with the help of recruiting coordinator John Figueroa, have signed Mary Burke, Tara Foster and Allie Heizelman to national letters of intent. The three signees bring a proven pedigree to the Tigers and will help to continue building the program toward national prominence. "We are super excited about this entire class. Not only are they great gymnasts but great students and people as well," Drass said. "We have signed three great people that will help lead us to the NCAA Championships and a Big 12 title." Mary Burke- Burke, a native of Palatine, Ill., will bring with her an impressive resume. Burke trained at the American Academy of Gymnastics and has been a Level 10 gymnast since 2000. The 5' 4", Burke was a standout on both the floor and beam events but is a proven all-arounder. In fact, Burke was the Illinois State High School Champion in the all-around in both 2005 and 2007. As a member of the Junior Olympic National Team in 2006 and 2007, Burke was a standout in her competitive club events. In the Region 5 Regional tournament, Burke took home third place in the all-around in 2006 and followed that with a second place finish in 2007. Burke also finished first on the floor in 2007. With plans to major in physical therapy, Burke registered a 3.4 grade-point-average in high school and has been a member of the honor roll. Tara Foster- A Tulsa, Okla. native, Foster will bring with her a great amount of skill in the gym and in the classroom as well. Foster trained at Kraft Academy under the direction of Kristi Kraft, Jean Luc Caron and Kerry Haynie. She has been a Level 10 gymnast for each of the last three seasons. Foster had plenty of accomplishments as a Level 9 gymnast, including the Regional all-around championships in 2006. Despite having experience in all the events, Foster has a knack for the vault, bringing in a career high of 9.8. Foster also was the Level 9 National Champion on the vault in 2006 and earned second regionally at Level 10 in 2007. Proven in the gym, Foster is also a great student and community member. With a GPA of 3.93, Foster ranks 57 out of 668 in her graduating class. Foster plans to pursue a career in sports therapy.
"Making the choice to come to Mizzou was an easy one," Foster said. "On both my unofficial and official visits I felt right at home with the coaches and team. I am very excited about my coming to Mizzou and can't wait to get there and be part of the team." Allie Heizelman- Hailing from Cypress, Texas, Heizelman brings with her an impressive resume in Level 10 competition. Training at Cypress Academy under the direction of Terry and Tamara Walker, Marina Vernaya and Chuck Fisher, Heizelman has been a Level 10 gymnast since 2005. Heizelman routinely put up high scores on beam, bars and floor during high school and competitive competition and earned a career high 37.550 in the all-around at the 2007 Statewide Qualifier. Placed ninth at the Level 10 Regional Championships in the all-around, while finishing second on floor and tied for fourth on bars. "Mizzou is a perfect fit for me. It has everything I was looking for: nice campus, great coaches and teammates, and has many opportunities for me in the future. I can't wait to go to college! Go Tigers!" |