NORMAN, Okla. - The Oklahoma women's gymnastics team posted its best finish in NCAA history last spring and recruits are taking notice. Head coach K.J. Kindler announced one of the most decorated classes in OU history Wednesday, signing three gymnasts to National Letters of Intent. Megan Ferguson, Natasha Kelley and Sara Stone will join the Sooners in the fall of 2008.
"We feel that this signing class will be instrumental in the future of the Sooner Gymnastics Program," said Kindler. "Megan, Natasha and Sara bring with them numerous accolades including many National titles both in the Elite arena and at the Junior Olympic level. All three of these women have displayed an absolute desire to be Sooners and we salute their enthusiasm for the University and our program."
Ferguson, a Level 10 from Blue Valley High School in Olathe, Kan., trains at Eagles Gymnastics, the former club of current OU gymnast Jacqueline Flanery. Ferguson was two-time Junior Olympic Nationals beam champion and five-time J.O. Nationals qualifier. She has dominated state competition, winning the level 10 all-around title in 2005, '06 and '07 while sweeping every individual event honor all three seasons as well.
"I fell in love with everything about the University of Oklahoma," said Ferguson. "The team and the coaches are wonderful and it is exactly what I was looking for."
Ferguson, who trains under Kim Fuchs and Johnnie Richburg, enters Oklahoma having earned honor roll status and National Honor Society membership every year of her prep career. Megan is the daughter of James and Mary Ferguson.
"As a two time Junior Olympic National Beam Champion, Megan displays the ability to handle tremendous pressure in competition," said Kindler. "She is an overachiever in the classroom as well. Her upbeat personality will be a great asset to the team."
Kelley enters the OU program as a four-time U.S. National Team member. The senior elite gymnast from Katy, Texas, has found success on both the international and national stage, finishing second in the all-around of the 2006 Visa Championships, after capturing the all-around title a year prior in the junior division of the Visa Championships. In her '06 Visa Championships runner-up finish, Kelley finished second on the uneven bars and beam, and fourth on the floor exercise.
Kelley shared all-around honors at the 2006 U.S. Classic, placing first on the uneven bars, second on vault and fourth on beam and floor. At the 2007 Visa Championships, Kelley finished 10th in the all-around after placing sixth on the beam and ninth on the uneven bars.
On the International stage, Kelley won the all-around title at the 2007 Houston International Invitational, placing first on the beam, floor, uneven bars, and second on the vault. The 17-year old placed second at the 2007 Tyson American Cup and fourth in the all-around of the '07 USA vs. Great Britain International Competition in Lisburn, Ireland. She also captured all-around titles at both the '05 Junior Gymnastics Competition in Yohohama, Japan, and the Olympiad Elite in Ensenada, Mexico, a year prior. Kelley helped the U.S. squad to a silver medal at the 2006 World Championships as a finalist on floor.
"After visiting Oklahoma, I knew it was the place for me," said Kelley. "Their educational staff was really informative and had a lot to offer. I enjoyed watching the team workout and the team atmosphere was so exciting to see."
A 4.0 student training under Terri and Tamara Walker at Cypress Academy, Kelley will graduate from the Abeka Academy in Pensacola, Fla., in May. She is the daughter of Troy and Peggy Kelley.
"Natasha's resume is more than impressive," Kindler added. "World Championship Team member and silver medalist, USA Junior National Champion, Olympic hopeful and the list continues on and on. When she visited the University it was obvious that she was a perfect fit."
A native of Dallas, Texas, Stone is a member of Metroplex Gymnastics where she is coached by Bryan Streeter, Dave Marus, and Jana and Marcus Harlin. The Spring Creek Academy senior and junior elite gymnast is a two-time qualifier for the U.S. Classic. She won the all-around title at the 2005 Metroplex Challenge and won the beam title at the 2006 level 10 Texas state competition.
"I can't wait to become a part of the OU gymnastics team next year," said Stone. "OU was my number-one choice from the beginning of the year because of the excellent coaching staff and high level of gymnastics."
A National Honor Society member, Stone is the daughter of Karen and Randy Stone.
"Sara knew 110% that Oklahoma was the place for her," said Kindler. "She has extensive experience both as an Elite and a Level 10. In addition, her loyalty is obvious as she has spent her entire career at one club program."
Oklahoma opens the 2008 season at the Cancun Classic in Cancun, Mexico on Jan. 4.
"We feel that this signing class will be instrumental in the future of the Sooner Gymnastics Program," said Kindler. "Megan, Natasha and Sara bring with them numerous accolades including many National titles both in the Elite arena and at the Junior Olympic level. All three of these women have displayed an absolute desire to be Sooners and we salute their enthusiasm for the University and our program."
Ferguson, a Level 10 from Blue Valley High School in Olathe, Kan., trains at Eagles Gymnastics, the former club of current OU gymnast Jacqueline Flanery. Ferguson was two-time Junior Olympic Nationals beam champion and five-time J.O. Nationals qualifier. She has dominated state competition, winning the level 10 all-around title in 2005, '06 and '07 while sweeping every individual event honor all three seasons as well.
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Ferguson, who trains under Kim Fuchs and Johnnie Richburg, enters Oklahoma having earned honor roll status and National Honor Society membership every year of her prep career. Megan is the daughter of James and Mary Ferguson.
"As a two time Junior Olympic National Beam Champion, Megan displays the ability to handle tremendous pressure in competition," said Kindler. "She is an overachiever in the classroom as well. Her upbeat personality will be a great asset to the team."
Kelley enters the OU program as a four-time U.S. National Team member. The senior elite gymnast from Katy, Texas, has found success on both the international and national stage, finishing second in the all-around of the 2006 Visa Championships, after capturing the all-around title a year prior in the junior division of the Visa Championships. In her '06 Visa Championships runner-up finish, Kelley finished second on the uneven bars and beam, and fourth on the floor exercise.
Kelley shared all-around honors at the 2006 U.S. Classic, placing first on the uneven bars, second on vault and fourth on beam and floor. At the 2007 Visa Championships, Kelley finished 10th in the all-around after placing sixth on the beam and ninth on the uneven bars.
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"After visiting Oklahoma, I knew it was the place for me," said Kelley. "Their educational staff was really informative and had a lot to offer. I enjoyed watching the team workout and the team atmosphere was so exciting to see."
A 4.0 student training under Terri and Tamara Walker at Cypress Academy, Kelley will graduate from the Abeka Academy in Pensacola, Fla., in May. She is the daughter of Troy and Peggy Kelley.
"Natasha's resume is more than impressive," Kindler added. "World Championship Team member and silver medalist, USA Junior National Champion, Olympic hopeful and the list continues on and on. When she visited the University it was obvious that she was a perfect fit."
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"I can't wait to become a part of the OU gymnastics team next year," said Stone. "OU was my number-one choice from the beginning of the year because of the excellent coaching staff and high level of gymnastics."
A National Honor Society member, Stone is the daughter of Karen and Randy Stone.
"Sara knew 110% that Oklahoma was the place for her," said Kindler. "She has extensive experience both as an Elite and a Level 10. In addition, her loyalty is obvious as she has spent her entire career at one club program."
Oklahoma opens the 2008 season at the Cancun Classic in Cancun, Mexico on Jan. 4.
