Nov. 17, 2008
SIGNING DAY PHOTO GALLERY
Columbia, Mo. -
Missouri Gymnastics and head coach Rob Drass have signed three new recruits for next season to round out a talented squad.
"We're really excited about this class," Drass said. "They're three strong gymnasts, especially in the All-Around. We think they will add depth to our team and bring us consistently back to the National Championships on a regular basis. We've got the total package -- great students, terrific athletes and special people, as far as character goes."
All three girls bring an impressive resume to Missouri:
Brittany Bendoff: Bendoff (Long Grove, Ill.) is a strong competitor in the gym who is ready to make an impact in all four events. She was named a first alternate for Level 10 Nationals this year and qualified for Level 9 Nationals twice. In 2006, she grabbed the vault championship on this national stage. This year, she has posted impressive season highs: 38.6 in the All-Around, 9.85 on vault, 9.7 on floor, 9.55 on beam and 9.5 on bars.
"I was always told that when I visited the right campus for me, I would know it," Bendoff said. "I wasn't quite sure what that meant. But, I visited many campuses, and once I visited Mizzou, I realized it was home. I love the campus and academics, but most of all, I loved the team and the gymnastics program."
She is an honor roll student at Stevenson High School, and has coached girls' recreational gymnastics at Libertyville Gymnastics. Bendoff also volunteered as a county election judge this year.
"Brittany is that kind of athlete who is just improving so quickly, and in four years, everyone will be saying `Wow, where did she come from?' She's just an outstanding athlete," Drass said. "She's getting better every day, and has great form, basics and strength."
Tori Howard: Howard, a Chesterfield, Missouri native, excels both in the classroom and in the gym. This past year, Howard placed second in the all-around at the 2008 Region IV Championships, a title she also claimed in 2007. Howard was also the Level 10 state champion in 2008. In addition, she has qualified for the Junior Olympic Nationals three times, where she finished ninth on vault this year. In 2007, she notched a seventh place finish on vault and finished 12th in the all-around at the competition. Howard placed sixth in the all-around at the 2005 Western Nationals. That same year, she was the 2005 Region IV champion, and took the state championship in both 2004 and 2005.
"I absolutely loved the atmosphere at Mizzou, and I feel like it is going to be a great place for me to continue my gymnastics career," Howard said. "When I went on my visit, all the girls were awesome and seemed to all be very close. I know that Mizzou has had success in the past, and they seem to be setting their expectations even higher for the future, and I really look forward to being a part of that. The coaches were all very open and welcoming, and I feel that Mizzou is going to be a great place for me for next four years."
In addition to her gymnastics accomplishments, Howard stayed in the top 10 percent of her class all four years at Marquette High School while taking on a course load of honors and challenge classes. She has maintained over a 4.0 GPA and tutors math students through Mu Alpha Theta.
"We're really excited about having Tori come in because she's a Missouri girl," Drass said. "I think she can come in immediately and help us in a number of ways. She has very strong basics. I think she will see her best years ahead of her in college and be something special."
Lauren Swankoski: Swankoski (Chadds Ford, Penn.) is a talented gymnast who also dedicates her time to causes outside the gym and the classroom. In 2008, she was the floor champion at the Pennsylvania state championships, and finished strong by taking third place on bars, fourth on beam and third in the all-around. At Regionals, she placed third on floor and beam and sixth in the all-around. Her trip to the National round was also successful, where she took seventh on floor, tenth on beam and 11th in the all-around at Level 10. She is a three-time Level 10 national qualifier and competed at Level 9 in 2004.
"I chose the University of Missouri because it has everything I was looking for in the athletic and academic programs," Swankoski said. "The coaches and the team are exceptional and they made me feel welcome. I am sure I will be successful both academically and athletically. I cannot see myself anywhere else!"
Swankoski is also an honor-roll student who participates in many community service organizations, including Students Against Drunk Driving, Unity and Yearbook, and volunteers her time at Riddle Hospital.
"Lauren is a great athlete. I think she will come in and really be a leader on the team," Drass said. "She's got great skill level; we're excited to get her around our team and see how much she can ignite the rest of the gymnasts."
"We're really excited about this whole class," Drass said. "I think they will be a great addition to Mizzou Gymnastics."
