Gymnastics: Burdette Announces 2009-10 Class
November 17, 2008 03:00 PM | General
November 17, 2008
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University gymnastics coach Linda Burdette today announced that Chelsea Goldschrafe, Arlene Hathaway and Alaska Richardson have signed their national letters of intent to compete at WVU next fall.
“Each of these young women should be able to come in right away and contribute in several areas,” Burdette says. “They will all fit in well with the overall philosophy of the program and with the team.”
Goldschrafe, a Franklin Lakes, N.J., native, is a three-time Junior Olympic National Competitor from Northstars Gymnastics. Goldschrafe recently tied for 19th place in the all-around at the 2008 Level 10 Junior Olympic National Championships. Also a consistent, highly-skilled athlete on the beam, the coaches expect Goldschrafe to make an immediate all-around impact and see potential for her to develop into a great team leader.
Hathaway, a Walled Lake, Mich., native from Oakland Gymnastics, is the 2008 Level 10 Junior Olympic National uneven bars champion and finished ninth in the all-around, her first year competing at that level. Hathaway finished first overall in the all-around at the 2007 Level Nine Eastern National Championship. The WVU coaching staff is excited for Hathaway to join the squad and believes she will improve on her skill set each season and that the strong competitor has not yet reached her full potential.
Richardson, a Springboro, Ohio, native from the Ohio Gymnastics Training Center, earned a 9.725 in vault at the 2008 Region V Regional, and also placed sixth on the beam. Richardson is known for her great presentation skills and powerful execution on both her floor and beam routines. The Mountaineer coaches expect her to bring enthusiasm and energy into Cary Gym next season.
