Nov. 18, 2010

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri State gymnastics head coach Kristi Ewasko announced the signing of two student-athletes to National Letters of Intent (NLI) during the NCAA’s Early Signing Period. Arielle Bulls and Taylor Huey are the first signees of the Redhawks 2011 recruiting class.

“As we continue to push our team and goals to new levels, it is imperative that we add committed and dedicated young women to our program,” said Coach Ewasko. “With Arielle and Taylor, we have done just that.”

Bulls, a native of Buford, Ga., is an all-arounder for Imagine Gymnastics under the tutelage of Agina Simpkins. A four-time Level 10 Regional qualifier, she placed seventh in the all-around at this past season’s Regional Championships. That led to a Junior Olympic Nationals berth, where she her team to a third place finish.

She placed sixth in the all-around and second on the bars at the 2010 Georgia State Championships

In 2009 , she placed tenth in the all-around at Regionals. That same season she placed 17th in the all-around at the Junior Olympics National Invitational.

Academically, she is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars.

“Arielle comes from a great family of hard work and dedication,” said Coach Ewasko. “Her coaches moved gyms multiple times over the past few years and they committed to sticking wwith her and giving her every opportunity to fulfill her dream of being a collegiate gymnast. I am so happy that I am able to give her that chance to shine in the college arena. She is learning new skills everyday and I am excited for what she will bring to the table when she joins the Redhawk community next August.”

Huey hails from Fleetwood, Pa. where she competes as an all-arounder for Prestige Gymnastics for coaches Tony and Jen Fatta. As a Level 10 competitor this past year she finished second on the bars and sixth in the all-around Pennsylvania State Championships. At the Regional Championships, she placed third on the beam and tenth in the all-around.

This helped her to being invited to compete for the Region 7 National team as an alternate.

Taylor Huey finished second on the bars and sixth in the all-around Pennsylvania State Championships.

As a Level 9 competitor, she was the Pennsylvania state champion on the beam, floor and all-around.

Huey is a member of the National Honor Society.

“Taylor brings personality and a little spunkiness to our program,” said Coach Ewasko. “Her positive attitude is contagious and her hard work will give her the opportunity to have an impact both in our line-ups and in the classroom. She was driven to be a Redhawk from the beginning and we were excited when she committed to joining our family.”

Bulls and Huey are the only gymnasts the Redhawks will sign during the Early signing Period.

“As we continue to push our team and goals to new levels, it is imperative that we add committed and dedicated young women to our program,” commented Coach Ewasko. “With Arielle and Taylor, we have done just that. You can watch for both of them to be strong contenders for many of our line-up positions in the years to come. They will continue the success of our program in the classroom and will also help push Southeast Gymnastics to new heights.”