Nov. 11, 2009

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Sarah Patterson and the Alabama Gymnastics team signed six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period.

Becca Alexin, Olivia Carisella, Sarah DeMeo, Kim Jacob, Jordan Moore and Hannah Toussaint will all be joining the Crimson Tide gymnastics program.

"This signing class will have an immediate impact on our program," Patterson said. "We look forward to Becca Alexin joining us in January for the 2010 season. These student-athletes have a combination of talent and desire that will continue the Crimson Tide on the path of excellence athletically as well as academically."

"We have waited a long time for this special day and look forward to their arrival on campus and the pursuit of more championship titles."

Alexin, who is slated to graduate in December and join the Crimson Tide in January, competes for GymStars Gymnastics and is coached by her parents Donna and Gene Alexin who also coached former Tide standouts Lissy Smith and Robin Hawkins. She is a three-time TOPs National qualifier and a seven-time regional competitor. The Cordova, Tenn. native has won 10 regional medals during her career. A senior at Faith Heritage Christian Academy, Alexin has made the A/B honor roll each of the last four years.

"The tradition of excellence in academics and athletics at Alabama is unmatched," Alexin said. "I came to camp in Tuscaloosa when I was eight years old and I told Sarah then that I wanted to come to the University of Alabama and compete for the Crimson Tide."

Carisella is coached by Johnny Moyal and Jessica Connor at Elite Gymnastics. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, she was coached by Larisa and Anatoly Ivanov. A four-time Junior Olympic qualifier, the New Orleans native won the Region 8 all-around title in 2006 and 2009. The daughter of Dianne and Jim Carisella, she is a senior at Baton Rouge Episcopal School.

"As soon as I met the coaches and team, and visited the campus, I fell in love with Alabama and knew it was the place for me," Carisella said.

DeMeo competes for Eagle Gymnastics and coaches Kim Fuchs and Kami Claridge. A native of Overland Park, Kan. and a three-year member of the U.S. National Team, she won the 2009 Level 10 National Uneven Bars title. A senior at Blue Valley High School, where she is a four-year member of the Principal's Honor Roll, she is the daughter of Susan Lucas and Craig DeMeo.

"Alabama was by far the best fit for me," DeMeo said. "I love that it is in the SEC because I am very competitive. The coaches treat you like family and the team is so close and supportive. Alabama is a beautiful state, with wonderful weather, and an outstanding campus."

Jacob competes for Superior Gymnastics and is coached by Krystal Kramer. The former Junior Olympic champion in the all-around, balance beam and floor exercise is an Elite Level gymnast and qualified for the U.S. National Championships in 2008 and 2009, finishing 12th in the all-around in 2009. The Raleigh, N.C. native won the uneven bars and finished second in the all-around at the 2009 American Classic. The daughter of Victoria and Michael Jacob, she is homeschooled.

"The coaches are amazing," Jacob said. "I love the team, and the campus is beautiful. Alabama just seemed the perfect fit for me."

Moore competes for Texas Dreams Gymnastics and coaches Marnie Futch, Kim Zmeskal-Burdette and Chris Burdette along with former Alabama regional balance beam champion Gina Logan. The Grand Prairie, Texas native is the 2009 NIT All-Around champion and the 2009 Texas state champion in the all-around and uneven bars. The daughter of Debra and Michael Moore, she is a senior at Coppell Senior High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society.

"I chose Alabama for the academics, especially the marine sciences/biology major, the championship history of the gymnastics program, the awesome team atmosphere and chemistry, and a coaching staff that is second to none," Moore said. "In other words, it just feels like home."

Toussaint competes for Olympic Dreams Gymnastics club where she is coached by her parents Dawn and Gary Toussaint. A three-year member of the TOPs National Team, she has competed internationally in China, Japan, Germany, El Salvador and Costa Rica. The Warren, Ohio native has a skill named after her after competing "The Toussaint" at the Junior Olympic National Championships. She is a senior at Howland High School.

"Alabama is a great school with awesome coaching and team members that make it feel like a family," Toussaint said.

While their future teammates are finishing out their high school careers, the current members of the Alabama Gymnastics team are preparing for the start of the 2010 season, which gets underway Friday, Jan. 8 at Auburn, and to defend their Southeastern Conference title.