BATON ROUGE — The highly touted athletes have signed national letters of intent to compete for the eighth-ranked LSU gymnastics team, head coach D-D Breaux announced Friday.
Vanessa Rodriguez of Homestead, Fla., Christina Suhr of Windermere, Fla. and Lauren Klein of The Woodlands, Texas will all join the Tigers for the 2006 season.
“These three are a great package. They are a very solid, fit group of athletes that also come in with outstanding academic backgrounds,” said Breaux. “They are all national level competitors that have competed consistently at the National Junior Olympic level. I believe they will come in and add depth on every single event.”
Rodriguez comes to LSU from Universal Gymnastics in Miami. A two-time Level 10 J.O. national qualifier, Rodriquez finished fourth on the bars and 13th in the all-around at last year’s national meet.
Suhr will join LSU from Orlando Metro Gymnastics, the same club as current Tiger Kelly Phelan. A J.O. national competitor, Suhr carries a 4.40 GPA at Lake Highland High School.
“Both Vanessa and Christina are outstanding bar workers,” said Breaux. “I expect that they will come in and contribute immediately not only on bars, but in the other events as well.”
Klein comes to LSU from Texas Gymnastics where she was top-10 finisher at both the state and regional level as a junior. Also a standout performer in the classroom, Klein maintains a 4.3 GPA at the The Woodlands High School.
“Lauren is a fabulous beam worker and solid on the floor,” said Breaux. “She has been coached by April’s (Burkholder) former coaches and I expect great things out of her as well.”