Huskers Add Goodman for 2003

Lincoln - Nebraska Women's Gymnastics Coach Dan Kendig announced the signing of Brandy Goodman (Norwood, Ohio) to a National Letter-of-Intent Tuesday.

A level 10 gymnast who trains under Mandi Hinson, Krissy Hoeferlin and Jamie Oetzel at the Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy, Goodman is a strong competitor on floor and vault. She was a five-time Ohio state champion in the floor exercise and placed third on vault at the state meet last spring. At the 2001 Region 5 meet, Goodman finished second on vault and placed third on floor.

"She comes in with a good background," Kendig said. "She has good form, and we feel like she can eventually contribute on all four events."

Goodman is the third CGA gymnast to commit to Nebraska. Current Huskers Julie Houk and Jess Wertz have proven valuable additions to the Nebraska lineup. Last season, Wertz became only the second Husker to score a 10.0 on the vault and was also the 2001 Big 12 vault champion, while Houk earned second-team All-America honors on the uneven bars for the second straight year in 2001.

"Jess and Julie have come in here and done a tremendous job for us," Kendig said. "I think we've shown that athletes don't just come to Nebraska and maintain, they come in and improve. I think that impressed Brandy."

The daughter of Martin and Karen Goodman, Brandy attends Norwood High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Roll and was a Who's Who Among High School Students honoree. She selected Nebraska over Florida, LSU and Kent State.

"We got a good kid, a good athlete and a good student," Kendig said. "She fits in with the type of people we like to recruit."

The Huskers open the 2002 season on Jan. 6 when they face 2001 NCAA runner-up Georgia in Athens.