Nov. 22, 2010

TUCSON, Ariz. - Head gymnastics coach Bill Ryden announced Monday the signing of two student athletes to National Letters of Intent today. Allison Flores and Amber Wobma are set to attend the University of Arizona and join the gymnastics team starting the 2011-12 academic year.

Both Flores and Wobma follow previous gymmates to the U of A; Flores following in the footsteps of current sophomore Ellen Pitluck, and Wobma behind former athletes Jami Duce and Breanne Workman.

"Both girls are quality all-arounders and we expect them to make an impact on all four events. At this point its important to have athletes that can challenge and compete on all four events and we feel that Allison and Amber can both do that. We know that they will challenge for competition time on each event, and will provide much needed depth to the team." Ryden said.

Flores, from Addison, Illinios, is currently a level 10 gymnast who trains with under Todd Gardiner, doug Miller, Lenore Schwarts and Amy Blackburn at IGI (Illinois Gymnastics Institute). A 2008 and 2009 Level 10 Regional Qualifier, Flores took 3^rd place all-around, and 1^st place on floor and beam in the 2009 state Championships. Flores also was a Level 10 Regional qualifier in 2008 and 2009 as well as an Eastern qualifier in 2006 and 2007. Flores took the all-around title in 2007 at the Regional Championships. Daughter of Ramino and Linda, she is a senior at Addison Trail High School, and is on the honor roll.

"Allison will bring some big exciting gymnastics. She is a very dynamic bar worker as well as a powerful tumbler and vault worker. She will bring a big punch to the lineup."

Training under John Geddert of Geddert's Twistars out of Rockford, Michigan, Wobma is also a level 10 gymnast. In 2010 Wobma took  19^th place all-around, and placed within the top ten on vault and beam at the J.O. National Championships in Dallas, Texas. Wobma also took 6^th all-around, 4^th on vault, 3^rd on beam, and 3^rd on floor at the 2010 Regional Competition. Also under her belt include a first place title on beam and vault at the Battle of the Champions at the San Diego Classic, as well as first place finishes all-around, on bars, beam, and floor and second place on vault at the 2010 Twistars Level 10 Invitiational. Daughter of Kenneth and Vanessa, she is a senior at Rockford High School, and has been a recipient of the Priniple's Honor Roll from 2006-2010.

"Amber is a classic all-arounder. Now that she has strengthened her bars she really doesn't have a weak event. She definitely is the type of gymnast that is in the vein of a number of our classic all-arounders that we have had in the past."

"Both girls come from quality clubs and we know that they will be well prepared when they come to compete for us. We're definitely excited to have them." Ryden commented.

While the new Wildcats are finishing up their senior years, the current members are preparing for their upcoming season, which begins January 9 at the Pac-10 Preview in Los Angeles, Calif.