Nov. 16, 2009

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Southeast Missouri State University Gymnastics Program announced the signing of three top recruits; Erin Brady, Samantha "Sam" Marrero, and Kimberly "Kimmie" Pickerl, for the 2011 gymnastics season.

Kimberly "Kimmie" Pickerl is from Naperville, Ill., and trains at Aerial Gymnastics Club. She attends Neuqua Valley High School currently. Kimmie was also a 2009 Junior Olympic National Qualifier. Coach Ewasko said that "Kimmie is a very small and petite person with a whole lot of love for the sport of gymnastics. She will help push this team along as a very consistent and strong willed athlete on all 4 events. Kimmie works hard at both her academics and athletics and will do whatever it takes to become the best all around student-athlete she can be."

Erin Brady is from Oshkosh, Wis., where she attends Oshkosh West High School. She currently trains at the Oshkosh Gymnastics Center. She was a 2008 and 2009 Junior Olympic National Qualifier. She placed 9th on floor at the 2008 Junior Olympic Nationals. Erin is an honor student with a 3.8 GPA, and she has won an Academic Achievement Award. Coach Kristi Ewasko stated that "Erin will be able to come to Southeast Missouri and be a contributor both in and out of the competition arena. She has a bit of quietness about her but will shine on vault and floor immediately. Erin also has the capability to challenge our beam and bar workers for a spot in line-up. I look forward to watching her continue to improve as a Southeast Redhawk."

Erin Brady

Samantha "Sam" Marrero is a native of Farmingville, N.Y., and she competes for the Gold Medal Gymnastics Center. She presently attends Sachem East High School. Sam was a 2009 Junior Olympic National Qualifier. "Sam comes to Southeast with a huge desire to be a Redhawk. She has the potential to contribute on all 4 events as a freshman, and I look for her to continue to push the records that have already been set. Sam has a huge heart, great personality, and will help bring Southeast Missouri to new heights" said coach Ewasko.

Samantha "Sam" Marrero

In addition to the three signees, Taryn Vanderpool has also committed to Southeast. Vanderpool currently trains at Elite Gymnastics - Kansas City. She is a native of Lenexa, Kan., where she attends Shawnee Mission West High School. Taryn qualified for the 2009 Junior Olympic Nationals. "Taryn will be a powerhouse both in the gym and the classroom. She comes in ranked high in her class and plans to major in pre-med or pre-pharmacy. Her contributions in the gym will come from her strength on vault and clean lines on the other 3 events. I look forward to watching Taryn continue to improve throughout her years as a Redhawk" said coach Ewasko.