Kendig Signs Four to 2008 Class

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Lincoln -- Nebraska signed four gymnasts to its 2008 recruiting class, as Lora Evenstad, Kristin Fyffe, Kassandra Nathe and Claire Stingley are set to become Huskers next fall, head coach Dan Kendig announced Thursday. <?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

“This class brings a true passion for the sport of gymnastics,” Kendig said. “They have a lot of energy, and they’ll be a fun, talented group that will get a lot accomplished at Nebraska.”

 

Lora Evenstad

(Grand Forks, N.D. ? Sacred Heart HS/Red River Valley Gymnastics)

Evenstad is a Level 10 gymnast at Red River Valley Gymnastics Club. She swept every individual title at the North Dakota State Championships for four straight years from 2003-06, and took first in the all-around, vault and bars at the 2006 Junior Olympic Region IV Championships. At Nationals in 2005, Evenstad finished third on floor, then placed sixth on bars and ninth in the all-around at the same meet the following year.

 

“Lora is a very gifted gymnast, she loves learning, and she’s a perfectionist,” Kendig said. “Fans are going to see the high skill level she has on all four events and the love of performing she exudes, and I really think Lincoln is going to fall in love with her style.” 

 

 

A native of Grand Forks, N.D., Evenstad attends SacredHeartHigh School. She is a member of the honor roll, National Honor Society and the dance team.

 

Evenstad chose Nebraska over offers from Utah, Michigan and Oklahoma.

 

"I enjoyed everything about my visit. The coaches and girls were so friendly, and  the academics and athletics are amazing. It just felt so much like home. They have put together a great support system that I know will help me achieve my goals." 

 

Kassandra Nathe

(Sartell, Minn. ? Sartell HS/Granite City Gymnastics)

Nathe is a Level 10 product of Granite City Gymnastics in Sartell, Minn., and is coached by Kim Wozniak, Alley Zezoney and Tommy Rodine. A three-time J.O. National Championships qualifier from 2005-07, Nathe finished 15th on beam in 2006, as well as 13th on vault and 15th on beam in 2005. In addition, she was the 2007 Region IV all-around and beam champion and took first on beam at regionals in 2006. Nathe attends SartellHigh School, where she has lettered in cross country and track and was a member of two state championship track teams in 2005 and 2006.

 

“Kassandra was the first one to commit to our 2008 class, and she is beyond excited about being a Husker,” Kendig said. “She has good power and punch and the ability to vault and tumble well for us.”

 

Nathe chose the Huskers over scholarship offers from IowaState and UtahState.

 

“When I visited the Nebraska campus, I enjoyed everything about it,” Nathe said. “I respected the positive direction in which the gymnastics team is headed, and I feel I will have the ability to learn a lot more about the sport. The coaches, gymnasts and academic staff welcomed me and made me feel right at home.”

 

Kristin Fyffe

(Cincinnati, Ohio ? Anderson HS/Queen City Gymnastics)

Fyffe will come to Nebraska as a Level 10 competitor from Queen City Gymnastics and coach Trevor O’Hara in Cincinnati, Ohio. Fyffe lettered for coach Stacey Bailey at Anderson High School, where she captured the 2005 Ohio state beam title and earned both all-district and all-state distinction in 2005. Fyffe was also inducted into the Hall of Champions at AHS that same year.

 

At Nationals in 2006, Fyffe placed sixth on beam, eighth in the all-around and 12th on vault. Previously, she had claimed the 2006 Ohio J.O. state vault championship. During the 2005 competitive year, Fyffe grabbed first-place finishes in the all-around, vault and bars at the Ohio State Championships and went on to earn runner-up honors on vault at Nationals.

 

In 2004, Fyffe competed as a Level 10 and a junior international elite, making appearances at the U.S. Classic, the American Challenge and the U.S. Coaches Cup. Fyffe also qualified to the J.O. National Team and took third in the all-around. In addition, Fyffe was a three-year member of the National TOPS team from 1998-2000.

 

At AHS, Fyffe is a member of National Honor Society and the honor roll. She chose NU over offers from IowaState and Georgia.

 

“Kristin has worked very hard to come back from a knee injury this year, and her dedication is what impressed us about her,” Kendig said. “At that point in a gymnastics career, it’s easy to wonder whether it’s worth it to persevere and go on to college gymnastics. But she spent the summer getting stronger, conditioning hard and getting herself into great shape. As her injury heals and she continues to improve, she’s going to show some great potential for Nebraska.”

 

Claire Stingley

(Villa Park, Ill. ? Willowbrook HS/GymNasti Gymnastics)

Stingley hails from Villa Park, Ill., and is a Level 10 product of GymNasti Gymnastics and coaches Ron Nasti, Jing Wei and Joe Kermand. In 2005, Stingley earned the Level 9 J.O. national floor crown. Although she was unable to compete during the 2006-07 season due to injury, Stingley earned the 2006 Gateway Challenge Level 10 championship.

 

An outstanding student, Stingley attends WillowbrookHigh School and boasts a 4.80 grade-point average and scored a 35 on her ACT. Stingley is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, Civitas Social Studies Honor Society, Foreign Language Honor Society and Science National Honor Society. A member of the National Society of High School Scholars Scholar, she is also a National Merit Commended Scholar and plays the flute in her school’s chamber winds ensemble.

 

“I think Claire’s best gymnastics is still in front of her, and we’re excited she will be here at Nebraska,” Kendig said. “This entire class is strong in both academics and athletics, and Claire is very dedicated to both sides of being a student-athlete.”

 

Stingley chose Nebraska over offers from Southern Utah and Iowa.

 

“Nebraska has always been a family tradition, and some of my fondest childhood memories are when my family would all get together to watch Nebraska football games,” Stingley said. “When I received my invitation to an official visit, it was a dream come true. The coaches were amazing, friendly, encouraging and hard working, and it was also obvious that they were extremely dedicated individuals with a clear goal in mind. That was important to me. I knew from the very beginning that Nebraska was the place for me ? a place where I can dedicate myself and achieve my academic and athletic goals.”

 

Nebraska opens its 2008 season at Iowa State on Friday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. The Huskers then return home immediately for their first dual at the Devaney Center with Arizona State on Sunday, Jan. 13 at 2 p.m.