Nov. 16, 2010
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Missouri Gymnastics program proudly announces the addition of three top notch gymnasts for the upcoming 2012 season. Head Coach Rob Drass, with the help of recruiting coordinator John Figueroa, has signed Colleen Mulcahy and Rachel Updike to national letters of intent. Laura Kappler will join the squad as a walk-on.
"We are extremely excited to announce our signing class: Rachel Updike, Colleen Mulcahy and walk-on Laura Kappler," Drass announced. "We have found the total package in these three athletes. We look for total character, work ethic, good students, good people and people who can make us proud of them as they continue on in life. It's official, they are here and we couldn't be happier."
Colleen Mulcahy (Orland Park, Ill. / Arena Gymnastics)
Under the direction of Dan and Beth Miller, Mulcahy earned second place on bars at the 2009 State Meet before qualifying for Level 10 Nationals, where she placed 10th on bars and 15th in the all-around. She went on to place first on bars at the State and Regional meets in 2010, and also placed third in the all-around at the Regional meet. Mulcahy again qualified for Level 10 Nationals in 2010 where she placed ninth on bar and 17th in the all-around. She also earned a spot on the Region 5 All Star Team and was able to travel to Slovenia and Italy. Mulcahy boasts a 9.8 personal best on vault, 9.475 on beam, 9.525 on floor and a 38.1 personal best in the all-around.
"I choose Mizzou because from the moment I walked on campus, I knew it would be the perfect school for me," Mulcahy said. "The girls and coaches are wonderful and make me feel like I belong on the team. Not only does Mizzou offer a great gymnastics program, but also a great academic program that will prepare me for life after college. I am so excited to be a Tiger and cannot wait to start school next year!"
Drass on Mulcahy: "She is a really good Level 10 gymnast who is solid on all four events. We will look to her to provide depth and contribute on many events next year. Her best years are ahead, she can only get better as a collegiate athlete and we look forward to a very promising career with Colleen."
Rachel Updike (Olathe, Kan. / Kansas Gymnastics, Dance, and Cheer)
Updike, an Overland Park, Kan. native, earned the titles of 2010 Elite National Beam and Floor Champion as well as Regional Beam Champion. She also placed seventh on vault at the national meet. Updike was honored as a Region 3 Senior B Team Champion in 2010 as well. In 2009, she took the floor title at the State meet and placed second on vault, beam and in the all-around. Updike was a member of the USA Junior National Team from 2006-2007, and she qualified for an international meet in Belgium. In addition to gymnastics, Updike participates as a Blue Valley Northwest Junior Varsity cheerleader and an Olathe Northwest Varsity cheerleader.
"The process of choosing a college to continue my gymnastics career was very exciting," Updike said. "I got to visit many colleges but when I came to Mizzou everything clicked. The campus and the university pulled me in; I loved the coaches and the girls made me feel at home. Mizzou was where I belonged. My family and friends will be able to come watch me since I am so close to home as well. I can't wait to be a part of the Tiger family. MIZ...ZOU!!!"
Drass on Updike: "We are really excited to bring Rachel in. She is the complete package, a former elite and Level 10 gymnast, we really expect her to make an immediate impact on our team. She is capable of working all four events and working them well. She will be a force right from the beginning as a freshman. We look forward to great things from her in the future."
Laura Kappler (Evansville, Ind. / Revolution Gymnastics)
Kappler comes to Mizzou from Evansville, Ind., where she trained at Revolution Gymnastics under coach Carly Cresswell-Watson.
"I like Mizzou because of the family-friendly environment," Kappler said. "The coaches are so welcoming and willing to work with me to help me become an even better gymnast mentally, physically and emotionally. The girls on the team are friendly and they seem to have a good time even though they are working hard. It was easy to picture myself on the team doing the sport I love most. Becoming a walk-on made me appreciate that I've made it this far and have chosen to continue as a Mizzou Tiger!"
Drass on Kappler: "We feel like Laura is a diamond in the rough. She has all the tools she needs to be successful; she has the brains, the athletic ability and everything else. We look to her to train a year and start to make waves. She will be a great player and we look to get her into the lineup as her career progresses. We look forward to next season with her."