The first few days of a new signing period usually comes with a few unexpected twists and turns. In true 2020 fashion, this year was a whopper! We saw some surprise signings, some late switches and a few missing names.
Surprises
Leanne Wong
CGN Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Why It’s Surprising: Wong announced on Instagram that she’s made her college decision and will announce her plans on Saturday. While she has a couple of ties through social media, it’s anyone’s guess where the top-rated recruit in the class of 2021 will end up.
Danae Fletcher
CGN Rating: NR
Why It’s Surprising: Fletcher is a bit of a mystery because she has fantastic level 10 scores but not enough video to have been rated. Nevertheless, the Philadelphia-native surprised the gymternet when it was announced Thursday she would be joining the Sooners early, just in time for the 2021 season. That makes a whopping 10 in the Oklahoma freshman class, and there’s a good chance Fletcher ends up being the star.
Elina Vihrova
CGN Rating: NR
Why It’s Surprising: We didn’t really know that Vihrova was interested in a collegiate career until she signed with Penn State on Wednesday. The Latvian gymnast has plenty of international experience, having competed at the world championships in 2018 and 2019, and in multiple European competitions. She won a silver on beam at the recent Szombathely Challenge Cup.
Amelie Morgan
CGN Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Why It’s Surprising: Expected to sign to California, Morgan did not appear in the Golden Bears’ official release. However, she could still sign at some point before the period closes next August. There are plenty of reasons the Briton may not have signed. The U.K. is currently back in “lock down” due to the coronavirus pandemic. Morgan could also be waiting until the spring. There’s even still a chance she plans to walk-on at Cal, but this is a less likely scenario seeing as she’s an international prospect.
Sage Thompson
CGN Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Why It’s Surprising: We expected to see Thompson as part of the Utah signing class, but she was not announced in the Utes’ press release. She switched her commitment from Cal earlier in the year, stating she wanted to stay close to home for personal reasons. Perhaps she’s walking on, and we’ll get confirmation of her enrollment in the future.
Quinn Skrupa
CGN Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Why It’s Surprising: We were hoping to see Skrupa in the NCAA, but we weren’t certain she was even interested until she signed with Central Michigan on Wednesday. After the graduation of Denelle Pedrick, the Chippewas should be thrilled to have a new rockstar Canadian.
Danielle Sievers
CGN Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Why It’s Surprising: Sievers was expected to sign with Nebraska, as the headline recruit in that class. Instead, she signed what looks to be an NLI with Oklahoma. The Huskers now have a big hole to fill.
Other News and Notes
- Anna Leigh signed with West Virginia.
- Bayley Barnett, a three-star recruit and a former San Jose State verbal commit, did not sign and has removed references to San Jose State from her social media.
- Jordan Hand, previously committed to West Virginia, is currently uncommitted.
- Deiah Moody was not mentioned in Michigan’s official signing class release. She could still be walking on and be announced at a later date.
- Cassidy O’Neill was originally committed to Air Force for the 2021 season, but did not appear on the roster. On signing day, we learned that she has been enrolled at the Academy’s prep school and will join the gymnastics team this fall.
- Maddy Pike committed to Ohio State.
- Alexandra England committed to Southern Connecticut.
- Abigail Scanlon did not sign with Arizona State and does not reference Arizona State on her social media.
- Sydney Seibert switched her commitment from Maryland to Temple.
READ THIS NEXT: Tracking the Class of 2021 Signings
Article by the editors of College Gym News
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Sage Thompson did a signing ceremony for Utah although unclear if it’s an official NLI