ANCHORAGE - Alaska Anchorage gymnastics coach Paul Stoklos announced Thursday that four athletes ? Kristy Boswell, Kelsey Fullerton, Maria Puricelli and Leah Wilson ? have signed National Letters of Intent to compete for the Seawolves next season.
“Our immediate goal is to be in contention for the MPSF (Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) title every season,” said Stoklos, the Seawolves' 23rd-year head coach. “These four signees are the kind of elite athletes that can take us to the next level as we grow as a Division I program. We are thrilled to have them become Seawolves.”
Boswell, 5-5, is a three-time Level 10 state and regional qualifier from Cherry Hill, N.J., who currently trains at Wilmore Gymnastics. She finished third both in the all-around and on bars at the 2006 state meet and was second on bars in 2005. Stoklos says: “Kristy comes from a gym that produces many top collegiate recruits every year. She is in great shape and is an exceptional all-arounder. She is extremely talented on bars.”
Fullerton, 5-3, trains at Texas Dreams Gymnastics Center where she has posted a USAG Level 10 all-around best of 38.525. The Flower Mound, Texas, native has won the all-around at the Pikes Peak meet and finished third at the Kurt Thomas Invitational. Stoklos says: “Kelsey has taken the last season off but she returns with the motivation and intensity to be a strong team leader. She was passed over in recruiting due to an untimely injury this summer just as the recruiting process began. She's an exceptionally fit and strong all-arounder.”
Puricelli, 5-4, comes from Chesterfield, Mo., and trains at GymQuarters. Stoklos says: “Maria is a gymnast somewhat under the radar to many programs. She is a solid four-event athlete who has great dance skill and endless degree of difficulty on beam. We expect to see her blossom in collegiate gymnastics.”
Wilson, 5-4, is a native of Port Coquitlam, B.C., who currently trains at the Calgary Sports Complex in Alberta. She recently completed an outstanding 2006 season that included the uneven bars title, runner-up in the all-around and a fourth-place finish on vault at Canadian Nationals. Stoklos says: “Leah is an exceptionally talented all-arounder who is experienced in tough competitions. Her strong all-around scores are enhanced by her impressive skills on vault and uneven bars.”
The foursome will join UAA for the 2008 season, but in the meantime, this year's Seawolves' open the 2007 campaign with a pair of dual meets against Sacramento State, Jan. 19 and 21 at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex.
