Nov. 13, 2003

Columbia, Mo.-The Mizzou gymnastics team announces the signing of five athletes to the 2005 Tiger squad. Julie Abaray, Nicole Bowman, Ashley Khederian, Jessica Kinder and Katie Kluga each signed national letters of intent ensuring their commitment to Mizzou.

"We are extremely pleased with our signing class," Mizzou Head Coach Rob Drass said. "I think this is one of the finest recruiting classes our program has seen and I am excited to get them in the gym."

Julie Abaray * Cincinnati, Ohio * Lakota High School
Abaray joins the Tigers after winning the 2002 Ohio state all-around and floor exercise titles. She also finished fourth on the balance beam at the Junior National competition. In 2001, Abaray placed fifth in the all-around and on beam at the national competition after winning the Ohio state balance beam title. The Cincinnati, Ohio native, trained with the Queen City Gymnastics club under coaches Jennifer and Trevor O'Hara and Jenny Cox. She chose Missouri over Michigan State, Kent State and Ohio State.

Nicole Bowman * Virginia Beach, Va. * Tabb High School
A seasoned national competitor, Bowman finished 13th on vault at the 2003 Junior Nationals. Advancing to the National meet, she finished second in the all-around competition at the Region VII Championship. Also bolstering her resume, Bowman was the 2001 AAU National bars champion and two-time Capital Cup beam winner. Hailing from Virginia Beach, Va., Bowman trained at World Class Gymnastics under coaches Tami Harrison and Jon Angle. She chose to join the Tiger squad over Illinois, Arizona, West Virginia and Towson State.

Ashley Khederian * Carlisle, Mass. * Concord Carlisle High
Strengthening the Tiger lineup, Khederian joins Missouri after finishing 10th on vault at the 2003 Junior National Championship. On her way to the national tournament, Khederian earned four third-place finishes at Region VI competition on the vault, uneven bars, floor exercise and in the all-around competition. Receiving honors on the state level, she finished fourth in the all-around at the Massachusetts State Championship. In addition she was runner-up on bars and floor and placed fourth on vault. The Carlisle, Mass., native trained under coaches Reggie Walker and Jessica Wilkey at Walker's Gymnastics and Dance Academy.

Jessica Kinder * Raytown Mo. * Raytown High School
A Missouri native from Raytown, Kinder walks onto the Mizzou squad as a three-time Level 10 National competitor toting elite compulsory credentials. She has also competed at many of the countries most prestigious club competitions, including three top-10 all-around finishes during Regional competition. Kinder trained at Best Gymnastics under Coach Bill Witthar. She turned down scholarships from Illinois State, Northern Illinois and Southeast Missouri State in order to train with the Tigers.

Katie Kluga * Downers Grove, Ill. * Downers Grove South High School
Kluga reinforces the Tiger lineup backed by an impressive fifth-place all-around finish at the 2003 Level 10 Illinois state competition. She went on to place fifth in the all-around at the Region V Championship to earn berth to the Junior Nationals where she finished 23rd overall. As a Level 9 competitor in 2001, Kluga won the Illinois state all-around title and was runner-up in the all-around at Regionals. She rounded out her season with a 10th-place all-around showing at the Level 9 East Coast National Championship. Hailing from Downers Grove, Ill, Kluga trained at the Illinois Gymnastics Institute under Todd Gardner and Kurt Aichele. She chose Missouri over Illinois, Nebraska, Ohio State and Central Michigan.