Leizorek will continue to add stability on floor, as well as on vault this season. She will also look to become a three-event athlete by adding bars to her resume’.
2010 Gymnastics Preview
2010 Preview... Returning as back-to-back Western Athletic
Conference Champions, the 2010 Boise State gymnastics team is aiming for loftier goals this season. Not only do they return 14 gymnasts from the 2009 season, but they add four outstanding freshmen into the mix as well.
“Yvette is returning with a strong vault and elegant floor routine this season,” said Bird. “She also hopes to make a showing in the bar lineup.”
After posting their highest finish in school history at an NCAA Regional meet last season (third place), the Broncos have put in extra time during the off-season to push themselves even further for the 2010 season.
Turnbow returns to the team as a vault specialist, looking to make a solid impact on the line-up this season.
Bird said, “Raquel is entering the season strong and hopes to be a consistent force in the vault “We have some super talented athletes,” said line-up.” co-head coach Tina Bird. “They will be helping to catapult the team into the top-12 this JUNIORS season. We are just so excited of the poten- Senior Taylor Jacob will be a key competitor Joining the seniors as the leaders of the team, tial of this team. The entire team stayed three on bars this season. the junior class has been setting the goals higher months over the summer and everyone got each season since they arrived at Boise State. better. They improved on things and we fixed the stuff that will impact the team score in the long run. We were ranked “The junior class is the heart of the team,” explained Bird. “They are the No. 19 in the pre-season coaches’ poll, but we hope to surprise people leaders. They have set the bar pretty high with their work ethic, great attitudes and high skill level.” and move up higher than that!” Not only has the team been working hard in the gym during the off-season and summer months, but they have worked closely with strength and conditioning coach Jeff Jones to increase their fitness levels for the season.
Leading the junior class is Hannah Redmon and Kelsey Lang who earned the titles of co-captains of the 2010 squad. They were voted for the leadership role by their teammates. After taking a season away from the all-around, Redmon looks to be healthy enough again to compete on all four events this season.
“The work that the girls have done with coach Jones has brought them to a completely new level of fitness,” explained Bird. “Pairing that with the progressive work that our trainer Keita Shimada does helps our girls prevent injuries or return to the gym more quickly after injuries.”
“Hannah is just such a natural leader in and out of the gym,” said Bird. “Her hard work in the offseason and added difficulty on all four events will make her a definite threat for the WAC Athlete of the Year again this season. She has set her goals very high!”
Alongside of their excellent fitness, the Broncos’ upperclassman will look to bring the team to a whole new level this season.
Lang returns to the team as the reigning WAC Champion on balance beam and looks to continue her consistency on the event.
SENIORS “Our seniors will definitely lead the team with their experience this season,” said Bird. Taylor Jacob, Yvette Leizorek and Raquel Turnbow hope to close out their careers with a very successful season. The trio of seniors will be key competitors in all four line-ups for Senior Yvette Leizorek looks to make a big impact on vault and floor this season. the Broncos this season.
“Kelsey is a great leader in the gym in the fact that she is always smiling and working hard,” said Bird. “She not only is starting the season where she left off last year, but she has upgraded her difficulty on all of her events. We expect her to come back and defend her championship title this season.”
Jacob returns to floor this season after competing primarily on bars and beam during the 2009 season.
Three other juniors help comprise a solid class, including Sarah Smith, Mallory Dziawura and Katie Tuller.
“Taylor is back and stronger than ever with her phenomenal bar routine, solid beam and dynamic floor,” said Bird. “She has added difficulty to her bar dismount and is as consistent as ever.”
Smith has earned her way from a walk-on to scholarship athlete this season, after producing two solid seasons as an underclassman. She will continue to be a solid force for the Broncos on beam and floor this season.
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