Nov. 13, 2008

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -University of Illinois women's gymnastics coach Bob Starkell announced the addition of three gymnasts to his squad for the 2009-10 season. Macy Hyatt (Kennesaw Mountain HS, Atlanta, Ga.), Jaclyn Kantecki (Queen of Peace HS, Burbank, Ill.), and Alina Weinstein (West Windsor Plainsboro HS South, Plainsboro, N.J.) each signed a national letter of intent with the Fighting Illini.

Starkell and the rest of the Illini coaching staff are very enthusiastic about the characteristics that this class will be bring to the program.

"We are extremely excited about the addition of these three young ladies," Starkell said. "All three are excellent all-around competitors with the talent and skill level to contribute to this program right when they step in the gym. They all have the personal and athletic qualities that we are looking for in student-athletes. We knew from the beginning that our senior class would be a difficult one to replace, but I believe this signing class should make for a smooth transition.

MACY HYATT
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
High School: Kennesaw Mountain High School
Club: Gymnastics Academy of Atlanta

Macy Hyatt

Notes: Two-time Level 10 National qualifier...Placed fourth on bars and 10th on vault at the 2006 Level 10 Nationals...Four-time Level-10 Regional qualifier...Won the vault and bars titles and placed runner-up on floor and in the all-around at the 2006 Level 10 Regionals...Level 9 Regional Floor Champion...Selected as the Algebra II and Trig Student of the Year ...Club coaches are Jacobo Giron and Irina Podgornaya.

Coach Starkell on Hyatt
"Macy is what I consider a power athlete. She could probably excel in any sport that she would participate in. She has a strong and powerful presence about her on each event. I look for her to impress our fans on vault and bars, though she is solid on all four events."

Hyatt on becoming an Illini
"I chose the University of Illinois because I feel like this is where I belong. The academics and athletics are exactly what I am looking for in a University. When I attend the University of Illinois, I know it will be the best four years of my life. I enjoyed everything on my visit, but the thing I loved most was that it seemed like everyone cared a lot about me. They made me feel welcome, and within two hours of meeting everyone, I felt like I was family."

JACLYN KANTECKI
Hometown: Bridgeview, Ill.
High School: Queen of Peace High School
Club: Naperville Gymnastics Club

Jaclyn Kantecki

Notes: Two-time Level 10 National qualifier...Placed 8th in the all-around, while tying for 5th on floor and 9th on bars at the 2008 Level 10 Nationals in the Senior B division...Finished 24th in the all-around at the 2007 Level 10 Nationals...Level 9 Eastern National Qualifier in 2005...A-Honors student throughout high school...Club coach is Jiani Wu.

Coach Starkell on Kantecki
"Jaclyn decided very early on that she wanted to be an Illini. I feel that she has orange and blue written all over her. She is quiet in nature, but her gymnastics will speak in volumes. Jaclyn has the potential to contribute in the all-around, but she really excels on vault, bars and the floor exercise."

Kantecki on becoming an Illini
"Illinois has so much to offer for both academics and gymnastics. It is highly ranked among the best in the nation and is a place where I can continue to grow as a scholar, as well as an athlete. On my visit, I enjoyed spending time with the team and asking them questions. It was great to hear about Illinois from a student-athlete's point of view. All of the girls were very welcoming and made me excited to think that next year I will have the privilege of becoming part of their Illini family."

ALINA WEINSTEIN
Hometown: Plainsboro, N.J.
High School: West Windsor Plainsboro High School South
Club: Arena Gymnastics

Alina Weinstein

Notes: Four-time Level 10 National qualifier...Placed 11th in the all-around at the 2008 Level 10 Nationals...Won back-to-back Level 10 Regional titles on bars in 2007 and 2008, as well as the all-around and floor titles in 2007...Won the beam crown and placed third in the all-around at the 2007 New Jersey Level 10 State Championships...J.O. National Team Member in 2005...Elite National qualifier in 2004...Club coaches are Valdi and Ann Kolasa.

Coach Starkell on Weinstein
"Alina is what I consider a true all-arounder. She has such a nice presence and her stature really gives her that extra bit of spark that makes her fun to watch. I've been really impressed with how she carries herself as a young lady and I am excited about her contributing on all four events."

Weinstein on becoming an Illini
"As soon as I got on campus I really enjoyed the atmosphere and immediately felt a connection with the coaches and girls. I knew that was an important factor for next four years."

- ILLINI -