Utah Gymnastics Inks Talented Trio on National Signing Day
11/13/2019 8:05 AM | Gymnastics
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SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Gymnastics has announced the addition of three future Red Rocks on National Signing Day. Deanne Soza, Jaylene Gilstrap, and Lucy Stanhope make up the highly touted signing class for the Utes.
"We are in a very fortunate position to attract three proven elite competitors in this extremely strong signing class," said Utah head coach Tom Farden. "Each of them are dedicated gymnasts with hard-working mindsets. They bring unique skills and outstanding execution, and each of them have dynamic opportunities ahead of them in NCAA competition. This class has the potential to perform a high level of difficulty and all three could be all-around athletes for our program."
The three signees bring significant experience to Salt Lake City, all competing on the biggest stages during their elite careers. Soza is a former U.S. Junior National team member, while Stanhope is a member of the Great Britain national team. Additionally, Gilstrap has shined in recent years against the nation's top competition and has become a prized recruit for the Utes.
Deanne Soza | Coppell, Texas | Texas Dreams GymnasticsDeanne Soza
"Deanne is an athlete with fantastic artistry and precision," said Farden. "It is a bit of a homecoming for her and we couldn't be happier with her decision to be a Red Rock. Her experience as an international competitor and former national team member will show on all events."
No stranger to Utah gymnastics, Soza will return to her home state after spending the bulk of her childhood in Utah before moving to Coppell, Texas three years ago. Soza, a former U.S. Junior National team member, has competed on the national stage for the majority of her elite career. She was a qualifier for the U.S. Classic from 2012-2018, while also tabbing appearances at the U.S. Championships from 2013-18. At the 2017 U.S. Classic, Soza placed sixth on beam and eighth in the all-around against the nation's top elite gymnasts. Soza then followed the U.S. Classic performance with a 10th place finish in the all-around at the 2017 U.S. Championships.
In 2016, Soza was a member of the gold-medal Team USA at Gymnix International. Individually, Soza placed second in the all-around, second on vault, and third on bars on the international stage. Soza also saw action at multiple American Classics, with her most recent American Classic taking place in Salt Lake City in 2018. Soza notched a fourth-place finish on vault to highlight her meet. Recently, Soza competed at the 2019 Region 3 Championships (Level 10) and finished first place on beam and second place on bars.
Soza trains at Texas Dreams Gymnastics under the guidance of Kim Zmeskal. She is the daughter of Alberto and Maria Soza and has one brother, Carlos. She is set to graduate from Adirondack Academy prior to joining the Utes.
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Jaylene GilstrapJaylene Gilstrap | McKinney, Texas | Metroplex Gymnastics
"Jaylene was a bit of a late bloomer to the elite stage but excelled quickly," Farden explained. "As a result of her impressive work ethic and drive, she was able to accelerate through several levels in qualifying as a junior then senior international elite. Jaylene has the ability to be an all-around athlete and has a 10.0 start value on vault, which will continue to strengthen us on that event."
Bringing elite meet experience to the Utes, Gilstrap competed at the U.S. Classic twice in the junior division (2015, 2016) and twice in the senior division (2018, 2019). She also competed at the American Classic during the same time frame. At the 2019 American Classic, Gilstrap finished third on floor, fifth on beam, and seventh on vault. She also competed at the nation's most prestigious elite competition, the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, in 2016 and 2018.
As a senior at the National Elite Qualifier in 2018, Gilstrap placed first on floor and third on vault, while finishing fourth on beam and in the all-around. Gilstrap also brings international experience, competing at the 2016 and 2017 Championnat of France. At the competition in 2017, Gilstrap finished second on floor, third in the all-around, and fourth on vault.
The McKinney, Texas native is coached by Marnie Futch and Gina Logan at Metroplex Gymnastics. The daughter of Jeremy and Michelle Gilstrap is a senior set to graduate from Texas Connections Academy and has been on the honor roll the past four years. Her father Jeremy played football for the University of Wyoming where he was a tight end. She has one brother, Jaydan.
Lucy Stanhope | Warrington, England | City of Liverpool GymnasticsLucy Stanhope
"Lucy comes to us from England with an impressive resume," stated Farden. "We were looking for another athlete with a 10.0 vault and she is bringing her double twisting Yurchenko, along with three other exceptional events to the Huntsman Center. Her style and power will be warmly welcomed in our lineups."
A member of the Great Britain national team, Stanhope comes all the way from her hometown of Warrington, England. Stanhope was a member of Team England at the 2018 Commonwealth Games that came away with a silver medal, as well as a member of the silver-medal team at the 2016 Junior European Championships. Stanhope was also a 2018 World Championships team member for Great Britain, traveling as an alternate. As a senior at the 2017 English Championships, Stanhope notched a second-place finish on beam and a fourth-place finish in the all-around.
Stanhope placed fourth in the all-around at the British Championships and fifth in the all-around at the English Championships in 2018. At the 2016 Junior English Championships, she claimed bronze on vault and in the all-around. Following the English Championships, Stanhope then competed at the 2016 Junior British Championships where she would go on to finish third on vault and bars. Later this month, Stanhope will be competing on the world stage once again at the 2019 Elite Gym Massilia in Marseille, France.
Stanhope currently trains at the City of Liverpool Gymnastics Club and is coached by Claire Hynd and Rebecca Howell. Stanhope attends Bridgewater High School in Warrington. She is the daughter of Warren and Wendy Stanhope, and has one brother, Lewis.
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