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Head Coach
Hajile “Mo” Mitchell
Mitchell with his wife Lynn.
Heading into his fourth at the helm of the Kentucky gymnastics
program, head coach Hajile “Mo” Mitchell has
quickly built a program that is capable of competing on a
national state.
In 2006, Mitchell directed UK to its first winning season in
13 years and just the second in the programs history. During the
year, the Wildcats posted two of the top four team totals in school
annals. Three of the top four overall have come in the past two season’s
as Kentucky has continued to ascend to national prominence.
The Wildcats also scored one of the biggest wins in school history
when they knocked off ninth-ranked Auburn.
Along with the success came a second consecutive NCAA
Regional appearance, at which UK finished fourth, and NCAA Central
Region Coach of the Year honors for Mitchell.
The 2005 campaign was another building block in Kentucky’s
step up. The year saw the Cats enjoy its highest win total in over a
decade, an NCAA Regional appearance and a top national ranking
of No. 10. Outside of the gym, Mitchell’s gymnasts continued to
perform at a high level in the classroom, earning a 3.39 team GPA.
Of the team’s 16 gymnasts on the roster, 13 earned a GPA of 3.0 or
higher, including seven above a 3.5.
Throughout his coaching career Mitchell has been determined to
guide his gymnasts to their top performing level. He coached numerous
state, regional and national team and individual champions. Two
athletes under his coaching direction won the prestigious McDonald’s
Cup award.
“Coaching at different levels gives me the opportunity to see gymnasts’
careers progress,” Mitchell said. “It’s wonderful to see the determination
and growth of your athletes pay off for them.”
Mitchell not only pushes his athletes to excel in the gym, but in
the classroom and social settings as well.
“I love college, especially the academic part of it,” Mitchell said. “I’m
26

in a perfect world because I love academia and I love
working with athletes and helping them reach their
full potential. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
A native of Chicago, Mitchell attended the
University of Houston and graduated in 1995
with a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology-Piping
and Design. As an assistant, he made
a name for himself as a phenomenal coach and
recruiter. He was twice named NCAA Regional
Assistant Coach of the Year (1999 & 2002).
Mitchell, who has 25 years of coaching experience,
started coaching at Lansing (Mich.) Eastern
High School, when he was a sophomore in
college. After a year as an assistant coach,
Mitchell was promoted to head coach and took
the team to its first conference championship.
His next assignment was at a private club, the
Capital City Kips, in Lansing. He coached there
for two years until moving to Texas to work
briefly with the highly regarded Bela Karolyi.
“It was pretty intense and eye-opening,”
Mitchell said of his experience with the former
Olympic coach. “It’s an experience I don’t regret
because I learned a lot, but it wasn’t the route I
wanted to take as far as how I wanted to train
athletes.”
Mitchell then spent eight years coaching at
Gizi Gymnastics in Houston before joining Little’s
staff in 1997. He had become acquainted
with Coach Little several years before and helped
her with summer gymnastics camps in the Bluegrass.
Under Little’s tutelage, Mitchell refined his
skills and learned valuable lessons about coaching
at the collegiate level.
“I was pretty good at dealing with upperlevel
gymnasts (at the club level) before coming
here, and that’s what made my transition a lot
easier.” Mitchell said. “But, I also learned that
you really have to be willing to listen, and it’s
not just about gymnastics. You have to be a role
model, counselor, and tutor among other personas
to be successful.”
Mitchell was recently married, taking vows
this past Dec. 18, to Lynn Mitchell of Cincinnati,
Ohio. Formerly named Mo Muhammad,
he took on her last name. The couple resides in
Lexington, Ky., and has no children.
Q&A with Coach Mo
Q
A
What has the team done to improve its scores from last year?
“There is more talent – more talent, better talent, better recruits. We
always try to recruit gymnasts that are better than we have now. It’s what
we try to do. When you get more talent, there’s always more competition
in the gym and that pushes everybody to work harder. Our team knows
now they have to work hard to get spots in the line up.”
Q
A
What are your goals for the season?
“I don’t set the goals, it has to do with the team and what their goals are.
They want to go to nationals. They want to be the first team to go to
nationals from UK. When they were freshmen, the present senior class
wants to take the team to nationals. They thought they would have done
it earlier than their senior year, but they want to do it. I sincerely believe
they have a brilliant opportunity to do that this year.”
Q
A
Where do you see this team fitting in with the rest of the SEC teams?
“I honestly feel if everything is lined up right, we can be one of the top
teams in this conference. I feel that we’ll be in the middle of the pack
right now. But we have the team that is capable of achieving enormous
accomplishments.”
Q
A
When you look back to your first year and compare it to now, how exciting
is it to see the growth of the program?
“It’s very exciting. One of the things I knew last year was that our team
was beat up and we would struggle. But I couldn’t wait until this year and
its everything I thought it would be with the talent on the team. The one
thing I didn’t realize was that the team would have such a high level of
commitment that will make us better. That could have gone the other
way. But, the with the togetherness of this team, we can’t go wrong, we
have to go in the right direction.”
27

Assistant Coach
Samuel B. Buchalter, Esq.
Entering his first season at Kentucky, Samuel Buchalter brings
tremendous experience and ability to the Wildcat coaching staff.
Not just a 20-year veteran of coaching, Buchalter has been around the
sport since the young age of three. His mother, Alice, a Michigan High
School Hall of Fame gymnastics coach, used to bring Sam to the gym at
Freeland High School, where she coached.
His long and winding coaching career has brought him to Kentucky,
where he brings credentials that include coaching numerous
Junior Olympic National champions.
For the past three years, Buchalter has been a member of the
Michigan State program, where he helped lead the Spartans to a
berth in the NCAA Central Regional a year ago.
Prior to joining the college coaching ranks, Buchalter served as
an instructer of the prestigious club Twistars from 1997-2003. He
was also a team coach for Freeland Gymnastics for 11 years from
1984-94.
Between the two stints, Buchalter spent three years overseas as a
member of the Finnish Gymnastics Federation staff, working with
the Junior National Team.
A Michigan native, Buchalter graduated from Saginaw Valley
State University in 1994 with a degree in history before pursuing a
law degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. A member of
the State Bar of Michigan, Buchalter worked as a corporate attorney
in the Lansing area while coaching at Twistars.
Buchalter is single and lives in Lexington.
28

Assistant Coach
Jackie McCarter
Jackie McCarter enters her second season at Kentucky, serving as the
primarily beam coach while also working the floor exercises. Unter
McCarter’s tutelage in her first year with the Wildcats, UK showed a
remarkable improvement on the bealance beam as the team’s average rose
.716 from the prior season.
Prior to joining the Kentucky staff, McCarter was one of the most
sought after gymnastics coaches and consultants in the nation for more
than 25 years. She coached a number of Olympic competitors, including
gold medalist Dominique Moceanu, silver medalist Mohini Bhardwah and
bronze medalist Kim Zmeskal.
Among McCarter’s other other pupils was Ellen Diaz, the first Puerto
Rican Olympic gymnast and the youngest competitor Puerto Rico has
ever sent to the Olympic games. She also worked with current Wildcats
Alison Sarruci and Hillary Ferguson prior to thier signings with Kentucky.
In the mid-1990’s McCarter also had the opportunity to work with
Svetlana Bogisnkaya, who had won three golds and five total medals in her
Olympic career.
McCarter spent 11 years over two stints working with legendary coach
Bela Karoli, including in the two years prior to the 1996 Olympic Games,
in which the U.S. team, led by Karoli, won the team all-around gold medal.
Around her time at Karoli’s gym, she coached and consulted for
Brown’s Gymnastics School for nearly eight years, building a national
reputation as a routing choreographer.
McCarter was born in Arcadia, Calif., and moved around as a
child before eventually graduating from Rex Putnam High School in
Milwaukee, Ore., just outside of Portland. From there, she attended
Cal State-Fullerton before beginning her coaching career.
McCarter began coaching at S.C.A.T.S Gym in Huntington
Beach, Calif. She spent two years there before moving to Houston
to coach at Karoli’s.
McCarter is married to Blair McCarter III and the pair has two
children. Their son Blair (IV) is 13 and daughter Emily is 11.
29

2007 Support Staff
Dr. Scott
Mair
Orthopedic
Consultant
Dr. James
Jagger
Chief Director of
Athletic Medicine
Scott
Dean
Assistant Media
Relations Director
Mike
Haley
CATS
Academic Counselor
Leslie
Bray
Director of
Marketing
Clifford
Tsuboi
Meet
Director
Dr. Andrew
Weiner
Sports
Psychologist
Jamie
Moberly
Event
Management
Elizabeth
Kampfe
Assistant Event
Manager
Nathan
Schwake
Marketing
Abigail
Wonnell
Graduate Assistant
Athletic Trainer
Shaélee
Hampton
Assistant Student
Athletic Trainer
Amanda
Coates
Videographer
Hilary Wilson
Student Manager
Hilary Wilson enters her fourth year as student manager for
the Kentucky gymnastics team. A graduate of Paul Lawrence
Dunbar High School in Lexington, Ky., Wilson is a kinesiology
major at UK. Wilson competed at Coach Muhammad’s
club gym, All-American Gymnastics.
Wilson’s duties include maintaining stats for the team,
keeping team practice logs, managing music for routines during
workout and at competition, and organize travel packets
for the team.
Jeni Folck
Student Manager
Jeni Folck begins her second season as student manager for
the UK gymnastics team. Folck graduated from Anderson
County High School in Clinton, Tenn. After attending and
competing for two years at Kent State, Folck transferred to
Kentucky where she is currently a middle childhood education
major.
Mitchell on Wilson
“Having been a gymnast previously, she has knowledge of
the demands of the sport. She brings to the manager position
knowledge that is important in helping the team. Her duties
are of paramount important. She is in charge of the little
things that if they don’t get done, suddenly become big things.
I have known Hilary for over six years and I know that not
only is she dependable, but she is also a very pleasant person to
have around.”
Mitchell on Folck
“Jeni has been around gymnastics all of her life and is clearly
going to be an asset to the team. You can’t say enough about
the people who help our program out on a daily basis.”
30

Ashley Armour
R-Freshman • 5-2
Hometown: Athens, Ga.
Events: all-around
High School: Madison County
Club: Classic City Gymnastics
Career
2006: Redshirted season.
Pre-College: Won the 2004 and
2001 Level 10 Georgia State All-
Around championship, placing
first on the vault and floor...
2004 Region 8 vault and floor
champion... Two-time Junior
Olympic qualifier, placing third
on the floor in both appearances...
Student president of
Madison County High School
all four years... Named the
Georgia state representative on
the national superintendent
council.
Personal
Information
Full name is Ashley
Derenn Armour … Daughter
of Bob and Debbie
Armour … Is an only
child … Born on Oct.
31, 1986 at Athens, Ga.
A closer look at Ashley...
My favorite part about UK gymnastics is: having a very close team and
competing.
My meet ritual is:
eating a banana
during the meet.
My most memorable
gymnastics
moment is: when
I was six, my
coach told me to
try a layout full
on floor, but that he wasn’t sure I could do
it. I not only did it, I stuck it!
The thing I would most like to accomplish
as a gymnast is: representing UK at the
NCAA Championships as a team.
If I could visit anywhere in the world, it
would be: Venice, so I could ride through
the city on boats.
My advice to younger athletes is: never give
up and set your goals high, because you can reach them.
If I could name a Kentucky Derby horse, it would be: Sonny Perdue
The last book I read was: The Da Vinci Code
The last DVD I bought was: Wedding Crashers
32

Jacque Behrendt
Freshman • 5-4
Hometown: Franklin, Tenn.
Events: All-Around
High School: Ravenwood High School
Club: Let It Shine Gymnastics
Pronunciation: Bear-ENT
Career
Pre-College Competed for
Tim Richards at Let It
Shine Gymnastics … As
a freshman in 2003,
took eighth place on
bars at nationals …
Finished ninth in
the all-around at
Level 10 Regionals
as a sophomore,
including a third-place
finish on bars.
Personal
Information
Full name is Jacque Ann
Behrendt … Parents are Jeff and
Nancy Behrendt … Has one
older brother, Sean (21) … Is
related to Kentucky’s all-time leading
scorer in men’s basketball, Dan
Issel … Born in Napperville, Ill.,
on June 28, 1988.
A closer look at Jacque...
My favorite part about UK gymnastics
is: the girls and being part of the
team.
My meet ritual is: eating a good meal
and showering using the same shampoo
and conditioner.
My most memorable gymnastics
moment is: placing ninth in all-around
and third on bars at 2004 Level 10
regional.
The thing I would most like to accomplish as a gymnast is: to
compete on a collegiate team that makes it to the NCAA Championships.
If I could visit anywhere in the world, it would be: Italy, for the food.
My advice to younger athletes is: Everything that happens, and everything
you do is for a reason.
If I could name a Kentucky Derby horse, it would be: Spitty.
The last book I read was: Huckleberry Finn.
The last DVD I bought was: Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
33

Lucy Burgin
Senior • 5-5
Hometown: Birmingham, Ala.
Events: all-around
High School: Mountain Brook
Club: United Gym Stars
Career
2006: An all-around competitor
for Kentucky all season … Had
her best showing at Arkansas
when she posted a 39.100
score, including a season-best
9.825 on the beam … Best
event was the vault, where
she cracked the 9.8 plateau
six times and averaged 9.695
for the season … Had five 9.8s or
better on the uneven bars, including
a career-high tying 9.875 score
against Florida … Also had best floor
score of the year against the Gators, a
9.825, to tie a career high.
2005: Tremendous all-around talent who
burst onto the scene last year for UK... One
of three Cats to compete in all four events...
Finished tied for fifth on vault at last season’s
NCAA Regionals (4/8) with a careerhigh
mark of 9.85... Earned third in the
all-around with a score of 38.775 and tied
for third on bars vs. Auburn (1/28) en
route to earning UK Gymnast of the
Week honors... Posted the Cats’ top vault
score (9.85) at the NCAA Regionals (4/8).
2004: Did not compete. At Eastern
Michigan: Tied for 10th on bars at the 2003
Mid-American Conference Championships, scoring
a 9.85… Scored a 9.775 on vault and finished
11th at the MAC Championships… Recorded a 9.775
on floor exercise against Kent State (1/18)
Pre-College: Level 10 Alabama all-around state
champion in 2002… Level 10 1st place on vault
at 2002 Regional Championships… Also finished
fourth on the floor, fifth on bars and
sixth all-around at Regionals… Placed 10th
on vault and 19th all-around at Level 10
Nationals… Was a part of the first place
Region 8 team at Nationals.
Personal Information
Full name is Lucy Annette Burgin …
Daughter of Merritt and Annette Burgin … One of five children ... Has
two brothers, Merritt (18) and Marshall (16), and two sister, Helen (24)
and Lynne (21) … Sister Helen competed in gymnastics at the University
of Alabama … Born on October 11, 1983 in Birmingham, Ala.
A closer look at Lucy...
My favorite part about UK gymnastics is: the unity of the team and the
coaching staff. We have so much fun together.
My meet ritual is: listening to my iPod and praying.
My most memorable gymnastics moment is: beating Auburn in 2006.
The thing I would most like to accomplish as a gymnast is: To reach the
NCAA national championships as a team.
If I could visit anywhere in the world, it would be: Kenya. I went over
the summer and I can’t wait to go back.
My advice to younger athletes is: There is no such thing as fear. If you
can practice and compete with that mindset, you will be successful.
If I could name a Kentucky Derby horse, it would be: Flipper
The last book I read was: The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks
The last DVD I bought was: Grey’s Anatomy: Season II
Collegiate Bests
Vault: 9.85 at NCAA Regionals (4/10/05); vs.
Central Michigan/Rhode Island (3/12/06)
Uneven Bars: 9.875 vs. Michigan State/Central
Michigan (3/4/05); vs. Florida (2/17/06)
Balance Beam: 9.825 vs. LSU (2/18/05); at
Arkansas (2/24/06)
Floor Exercise: 9.85 vs. Ohio State/George
Washington/Ball State (2/4/05)
All-Around: 39.100
at Arkansas
(2/24/06)
34

Bridget Carreiro
Junior • 5-2
Hometown: Lexington, Ky.
Events: All-Around
High School: Apponequet Regional High
School
Previous College: Western Kentucky
Club: Brestyans
Pronunciation: Cuh-RARE-oh
Career
At Western Kentucky: Competed
on the women’s diving
team for the Hilltoppers and
was one of the top performers
in school history …
Holds the school-record
score on the 3-meter
springboard (6) with a
287.40 … Has the second-best
score in WKU
annals on the 3-meter (11)
with a 437.30 … Also ranks in
the top five in school history on the
1-meter springboard in both dual and
championship competitions … Was the
Sun Belt Conference runner-up on the 1-
meter while taking third on the 3-meter
and led Western Kentucky to the conference
championship as a freshman …
Three-time Sun Belt Diver of the Week.
Pre-College: Competed for
Brestyans American club as part of her
10 years in gymnastics … Was a threeyear
Level 10 Regional Qualifier and
took fifth place on beam at the 2005
Level 10 nationals … In diving, was
a three-year starter at Apponequet
Regional, where she was an all-
American her senior year ... Was a
record holder in the six and 11 dives
and runner-up in the all-state championships.
Personal Information
Full name is Bridget Mae Carreiro
… Parents are Antoino (Sr.)
and Maureen … Has two brothers,
Antonio Jr. (21) and Thomas (18),
as well as a sister, Caitlin (23) …
Sister attended Kentucky …
Brother Antonio is on the crew
team at Massachusetts Maritime
Academy … Born on Nov. 23,
1986 at Freetown, Mass.
A closer look at Bridget...
My favorite part about UK gymnastics is: the team atmosphere.
My meet ritual is: listen to music to get pumped up.
My most memorable gymnastics moment is: 2004 Level 10 Regionals
when I thought I was an alternate for nationals and then finding out I
had actually made it.
The thing I would most like to accomplish as a gymnast is: Make it to
NCAAs.
My most prized possession is: my old cabbage patch doll, Hope
If I could visit anywhere in the world, it would be: Ireland and Portugal,
because that’s where my grandparents are from.
My advice to younger athletes is: don’t get down on yourself and have
fun with it!
If I could name a Kentucky Derby horse, it would be: Just-for-Fun
The last book I
read was: The
Da Vinci Code
The last DVD I
bought was: The
Notebook
35

Krystle Cook
Senior • 5-4
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Events: all-around
High School: McCallum
Club: Capitol Gymnastics
Career
2006: Kentucky’s best allaround
gymnast of the season
… She was one of UK’s top
performers on three events,
including leading the team
on the uneven bars with a
9.857 average and vault with
a 9.740 average … Won the
NCAA Central Region vault
title with a 9.9 to advance to the
NCAA Championships, where she
finished 21st … Had five vault scores of
9.9 or better, including a season high 9.925 at
the Oregon State Invite … Produced just one
score below a 9.8 all year on bars while tallying
three 9.9s or better … Had best effort of the season
at Arkansas with an incredible 39.525 allaround
score, one of five scores of 39.0 or higher.
2005: One of UK’s top and most consistent performers
in 2004... Kentucky’s top returner on the vault
and floor with season averages of 9.739 and 9.785,
respectively... Posted a career-high 9.9 on the floor at
Denver (3/19, fifth all-time at UK)... Finished first at
Denver (3/19) on the vault, bars and floor exercise en
route to earning UK Gymnast of the Week honors...
Earned the team’s Comeback of the Year and Highest
Vault Average honors... Posted UK seasons bests
of 9.925 on the vault and 9.9 on the bars.
2004: Finished second on the bars against No. 24
BYU with a 9.825… Placed second verses Ohio and
Arkansas on the vault scoring 9.85 at both meets…
Awarded second on the bars at Missouri and took first
on the vault with a season-high 9.925… Helped UK
capture first vs. Ball State, recording first on the vault
(9.925) and second on the floor with a season-high
9.875... Vs. Texas Women’s University placed second
on the vault tying her season-best 9.925… Recorded
the UK high vault average… Awarded to Dean’s List.
Pre-College: Tied with current teammate, Rachel Riley,
as 2003 Texas State Championship floor champion… Five-time Junior
Olympic National Championship Qualifier… Fifth place all-around at 2001
Junior Nationals … Won the 2002 Region 3 vault championship… 2001
Region 3 bars and all-around 1999 and 2000 Region 3 Championships.
A closer look at Krystle...
My favorite part about UK gymnastics is:
My meet ritual is: listening to music and taking a nap.
My most memorable gymnastics moment is: winning the regional to
qualify for the NCAA championships on vault.
The thing I would most like to accomplish as a gymnast is: Going
to Nationals as a team.
My most prized possession is: my phone.
If I could visit anywhere in the world, it would be: Jamaica because
it’s a great place to vacation.
My advice to younger athletes is: focus on the positive when you feel
like you can’t go on.
If I could name a Kentucky Derby horse, it would be: Black Beauty
The last book I read was: Demon’s and Angels by Dan Brown
The last DVD I bought was: Click
Collegiate Bests
Vault: 9.925 multiple times, last vs. Oregon State (3/17/06)
Uneven Bars: 9.925 at Texas Woman’s University (3/12/04); at Arkansas
(2/24/06)
Balance Beam: 9.875 at Arkansas (2/24/06)
Floor Exercise: 9.9 at Denver (3/19/05)
All-Around: 39.525 at Arkansas (2/24/06)
Personal Information
Daughter of Uzell and Mary Cook … Is the youngest of four children
with brothers Sean (33) and Euell (31) and sister Tawynmanda (29)
… Born on May 29, 1985 at San Antonio, Texas.
36

Jordan Cullum
Sophomore • 5-3
Hometown: Findlay, Ohio
Events: all-around
High School: Findlay
Club: Gold Medal Gymnastics
Career
2006: Competed in four
meets on vault for UK,
including the SEC Championship
and the NCAA
Regional … Broke 9.8
twice on the year,
including at the
regional.
Pre-College: As a
senior, placed second
on the floor and
fourth on the vault at
the Level 10 regionals...
Placed eighth at the allaround
as a junior, en route to
qualifying for nationals... Placed
second in the all-around competition
and first on the vault and bar at the state
meet as a sophomore... Won the state bar
and floor competition as a freshman.
Personal Information
Full name is Jordan Blair Cullum … Parents
are Kelly and Charlotte Cullum … Has two
younger sisters, McKenzie (17) and Kendyll (13)
… Born on Nov. 25, 1986 at Findlay, Ohio.
A closer look at Jordan...
My favorite part about UK gymnastics is: how much fun we have as a
team.
My meet ritual is: eating eggs.
My most memorable gymnastics moments are: last year’s meet at
Arkansas and winning regionals when I was 13.
The thing I would most like to accomplish as a gymnast is: being a role
model for young gymnasts.
My most prized possession: a medal from a former teammate who was in
an accident.
If I could visit anywhere in the world, it would be: Italy for the art and
food.
My advice to younger athletes is: always have fun, smile and no matter
what anyone says, you can achieve anything you want.
If I could name a Kentucky Derby horse, it would be: For the Love of
the Sport
The last book I read was: Mind Gym
The last DVD I bought was: Take the Lead
Collegiate Bests
Vault: 9.825 vs. Central Michigan/Rhode Island (3/12/06)
37

Hillary Ferguson
Freshman • 5-2
Hometown: Richmond, Ky.
Events: All-Around
High School: Madison Central High
School
Club: All-American Gymnastics
Career
Pre-College: Performed
under coaches
Mo and Robin
Bodem at All-
American Gymnastics
… Competed on
first-place team at the
2004 Junior Olympic
Nationals as a sophomore …
Finished third on vault for that
national champion team … Took
third place on floor the next year.
Personal Information
Full name is Hillary Rashida Ferguson
… Daughter of Haywood and Dorothy
Ferguson … Has two older brothers, Tivon
(30) and James (21) … Brother James
played football for UK for one year and
Kentucky state for one year … Born on
Sept. 6, 1988 at Lexington, Ky.
A closer look at Hillary...
My favorite part about UK gymnastics is: having great teammates
and being able to compete in the sport I love.
My meet ritual is: relaxing and praying
My most memorable gymnastics moment is: being part of a 2004 national
champion team.
The thing I would most like to accomplish as a gymnast is: going to the
NCAA championships as a team.
My most prized possession: my cell phone!
If I could visit anywhere in the world, it would be: Australia to see the
kangaroos and koala bears.
My advice to younger athletes is: make goals and keep trying until you
achieve them.
If I could name a Kentucky Derby horse, it would be: Riley
The last book I read was:
The last DVD I bought was: The Ringer
38

Emily Green
Freshman • 5-0
Hometown: Penfield, N.Y.
Events: All-Around
High School: Penfield High School
Club: Gymnastics Training Center of
Rochester
Career
Pre-College: Competed for
Mike Herrman at Penfield High
School where she was a threeyear
team captain … Named
the 2006 Rochester Press
Radio Club Female High
School Athlete of the
Year and was a finalist
for the WHAM Sportswoman
of the Year …
Named Penfield HS Most
Valuable Athlete … Was the
all-around state champion as
a sophomore and placed third
as a senior … Won vault and
floor state titles as a senior and the
floor crown as a sophomore … Won
five-straight Monroe County and Section
V all-around titles beginning in
eighth grade … Took home four county
vault titles, four bars titles, four beam
titles and three floor titles in that span,
while sweeping all four as a senior … As a
sophomore, swept the Section V individual
titles as part of her 13 event crowns
from 2002-05 … Led team to Monroe
County championships as a freshman,
sophomore and senior as well as two
Section V championships in that span
… Holds state championship vault
record with a 9.675 … Owns Section
V championships records in the allaround
(38.025), floor exercise
(9.725) and vault (9.4) … Set every
Monroe County championships record: allaround
(38.300), floor (9.8), vault (9.35), bars
(9.575) and beam (9.7) … Played lacrosse as a
freshman and senior, earning varsity lacrosse rookie
of the year honors as a senior.
Personal Information
Full name is Emily Elizabeth Green … Parents
are Gary and Nancy Green … Has one brother,
Kevin (17) … Born at Penfield, N.Y., on April 30,
1988.
A closer look at Emily...
My favorite part about UK gymnastics is: the dedication the team
has to succeed.
My meet ritual is: listening to Johnny Cash and Brad Paisley
My most memorable gymnastics moment is: my last meet before college,
the 2006 Empire
State Games
The thing I would
most like to
accomplish as a
gymnast is: to
make the NCAA
Championships.
My most prized
possession is: My
pictures of my family and friends.
If I could visit anywhere in the world, it
would be: my grandpa’s camp with my
family because it’s fun and relaxing.
My advice to younger athletes is: never
regret something that once made you smile.
If I could name a Kentucky Derby horse, it
would be: Energizer Bunny, so it can keep
going and going and going.
The last book I read was: The Guardian by
Nicholas Sparks
The last DVD I bought was: Stick It
39

Heather Hite
Sophomore • 4-11
Hometown: Parkersburg, W.Va.
Events: all-around
High School: Parkersburg South
Club: Gymniks Gymastics
Career
2006: Won the Catspy for UK
Female Rookie Athlete of the Year …
Competed on three events nearly all
season for the Wildcats, the vault,
balance beam and floor … She set
a career high three times with a
9.9 on the beam, including in the
team season high, recorded at
Arkansas … Overall, averaged a
9.763 for the year on the beam,
the second best on the squad …
Set a career high with a 9.9 at
Florida on the floor en route to a
team-best 9.773 average on the
floor.
Pre-College: Placed third in the
all-around at regional meet as a
senior... Placed second on the floor,
fourth on the beam and eighth in
the all-around competition at
Nationals last year... Four-time
National Qualifier... First place winner
on the beam at 2005 West Virginia
state meet... Fourth place finish at
regionals in the all-around as a
junior... Won the beam competition
at the regional meet as a junior.
Personal Information
Full name is Heather Dawn Hite
… Parents are Roger and Pam Hite
… Has a sister, Amanda (21) …
Father was a wrestler at Marshall …
Born on June 5, 1987 at Parkersburg,
W.Va.
A closer look at Heather...
My favorite part about UK gymnastics is: working hard and
competing.
My meet ritual is:
My most memorable gymnastics moment is: scoring a 9.9 on
beam in my first college meet.
The thing I would most like to accomplish as a gymnast is: for
the team to make it to NCAAs.
My most prized possession is: my baby blankets.
If I could visit anywhere in the world, it would be: Australia
because it’s warm and I like kangaroos.
My advice to younger athletes is: always work hard in school and
remember to enjoy and appreciate the sport.
If I could name a Kentucky Derby horse, it would be: Hezzbear
The last book I read was: The Rescue
by Nicholas Sparks
The last DVD I bought was: The
Break Up
Collegiate Bests
Vault: 9.800 vs. Ball State/Air Force
(3/10/06)
Balance Beam: 9.900 vs. Michigan
State (1/6/06); at LSU (2/10/06); at
Arkansas (2/24/06)
Floor Exercise: 9.875 at NCAA Regional
(4/7/06)
40

Kristen O’Shields
Junior • 4-11
Hometown: Cartersville, Ga.
Events: all-around
High School: Woodland
Club: Cartersville Twisters
Career
2006: Was Kentucky’s second-best
performer on vault for the year, averaging
a 9.75 … Recorded a career
high with a 9.85 in the NCAA
Regional on the vault, one of five
9.8s or better for the season en
route to a 9.702 average, third
best on the team … Had a brilliant
9.925 on beam at
Arkansas for a new career high
… Was a consistent floor
exercise performer all season,
including a career best of
9.875 at Oregon State.
2005: Consistent performer
for the Cats in her
first season... Scored a careerhigh
and UK’s top season score of 9.875
on the beam vs. Michigan State/Central
Michigan (3/4)... Won the beam competition
against Bowling Green (1/8)
with a mark of 9.8... Earned UK Gymnast
of the Week (1/17) honors after
posting a top team mark of 9.825 on
the beam vs. Arkansas (1/14)... Competed
in every meet for UK.
Pre-College: Won the 2001
Georgia State champion all-around
and uneven bars titles… A twotime
Junior Olympic National
Championship qualifier, placed
third on the floor in 2003… Is
the reigning Level 10 Georgia
State Champion on balance
beam and was crowned the
2003 All-Around Georgia
State Champion… In
2003 claimed the
Georgia Region 8 balance
beam and floor titles… Landed a second place finish on the beam
and a third-place finish on the all-around at
the 2003 Level 8 Georgia meet.
Personal Information
Full name is Kristen Deloris O’Sheilds …
Daughter of Joe O’Shields and Debbie
O’Shields-Wiggs … Has a brother, Kelly
(18) … Born on Aug. 25, 1986 at Beaufort,
S.C.
A closer look at Kristen...
My favorite part about UK gymnastics
is: the coaches and my amazing teammates.
My meet ritual is: go through my routines
in my head and doing my special
dance before beam.
My most memorable gymnastics moment
is: beating Auburn at home last year.
The thing I would most like to accomplish
as a gymnast is: make NCAA
nationals as a team.
My most prized possession is:
If I could visit anywhere in the world, it
would be: Russia because my club coach is
from there. I would love to go over there
with her and be able to see all the things
she has told me and to understand the culture
from a better perspective.
My advice to younger athletes is: never give up and try your hardest in
everything you do.
If I could name a Kentucky Derby horse, it would be: Umphta
The last book I read was: Mind Gym
The last DVD I bought was: Tommy Boy
Collegiate Bests
Vault: 9.850 at NCAA Regional (4/7/06)
Balance Beam: 9.925 at Arkansas (2/24/06)
Floor Exercise: 9.875 at Oregon State (3/17/06)
41

Jamie Reimann
Freshman • 5-4
Hometown: Johnston, Iowa
Events: All-Around
High School: Johnston High School
Club: Cardinal Gymnastics Academy
Pronunciation: RIGH-man
Career
Pre-College: Competed for coaches
KJ Kindler and Lou Ball at Cardinal
Gymnastics Academy … Won three
straight all-around state championships
as a sophomore, junior and
senior … Was the Region IV floor
champion as a senior in 2006 …
Placed in the top 15 in the allaround
at the Junior Olympic
Nationals in back-to-back years
from 2003-04.
Personal
Information
Full name is Jamie Lee
Reimann … Parents are Jan
and Julie Reimann … Has
four siblings … Brothers are
Justin (24) and Jay (20)… Sister
are Jenny (22) and Paris (6)
… Born in Des Moines, Iowa, on
March 2, 1988.
A closer look at Jamie...
My favorite part about UK gymnastics is: having a home away from
home.
My meet ritual is: listen to music and visualize my routines.
My most memorable gymnastics moment is: coming to UK and being
part of the team.
The thing I would most like to accomplish as a gymnast is: being part
of the UK team that makes nationals for the first time.
My most prized possession is: my shoes.
If I could visit anywhere in the world, it would be: Australia.
My advice to younger athletes is: follow your dreams and never give up.
If I could name a Kentucky Derby horse, it would be: Jezabelle
The last book I read was: A Million Little Pieces
My favorite movie is: Drop Dead Fred
42

Rachel Riley
Senior • 5-5
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Events: all-around
High School: Home schooled
Club: Texas Dreams
Career
2006: Turned into an all-around
competitor for UK midway through
the season, peaking at Oregon
State with an outstanding
39.100 … Competed the first
half of the year on three
events, vault, beam and
floor … Posted a
tremendous 9.825
on the floor at the
NCAA Regional, the
second time she registered
the score on the year …
Cracked 9.8 on the beam and
vault four times each … 9.85 vault
score against Central Michigan and
Rhode Island was a season high.
2005: One of three Cats to compete in
all four events last season... UK’s top returnee
on the floor after averaging 39.075 last season...
Earned the team’s 3D Award for dedication...
UK’s top all-around performer at the
SEC Championships (3/26), posting a
39.075... Placed first vs. Bowling Green (1/8)
on the floor with a 9.8, helping the Cats to
their third highest team score in program history
(194.850).
2004: Scored season-highs on the beam,
9.85, and all around, 39.125, at the Georgia
meet… Recorded a season-high against
Arkansas with a 9.875 on the floor… Helped
UK to a first place finish against No. 24 BYU
with a 9.8 on the bars.
Pre-College: Two-time Texas State allaround
champion (2002 and 2003)… Tied
with current teammate Krystle Cook as
2003 Texas State Championship floor
champion… Two-time Region 3 allaround
champion (2002 and 2003)
Personal
Information
Full name is Rachel Marie Riley …
Daughter of Rock and Linda Riley … Has
three older brothers, Billy (35), John (33)
and Mike (29) … Also has an older sister,
Hannah (23) … Born on June 6, 1985 at
Holly, Mich.
A closer look at Rachel...
My favorite part about UK gymnastics is: gymnastics is my stress
reliever. It works every time.
My meet ritual is: take an hour nap before I go to the meet.
My most memorable gymnastics moment is: beating Auburn at
home last year.
The thing I would most like to accomplish as a gymnast is: to be
the first UK team to go to nationals.
My most prized possession is: My family.
If I could visit anywhere in the world, it would be: Australia to see
all the animals … and the Fiji Islands.
My advice to younger athletes is: smile, it can only get better.
If I could name a Kentucky Derby horse, it would be: Ed
The last book I read was: My Sister’s Keeper
The last DVDs I bought were: Tarzan, Primal
Fear
Collegiate Bests
Vault: 9.850 vs. Central Michigan/Rhode
Island (3/12/06)
Uneven Bars: 9.8 multiple times, last at SEC
Championships (3/26/05)
Balance Beam: 9.85 twice, last at SEC
Championships (3/26/05)
Floor Exercise: 9.875 twice, last at Arkansas
(1/14/05)
All-Around: 39.125 at Georgia (1/24/04)
43

Natalie Rubinstein
Sophomore • 5-1
Hometown: Hollywood, Fla.
Events: all-around
High School: Broward
Club: Park Avenue Gymnastics
Pronunciation: rue-bin-STEEN
Career
2006: Competed in all 11 regular-season
meets and was UK’s
second best scorer on the vault
and uneven bars with averages
of 9.738 and 9.667, respectively
… Posted six scores
of 9.8 or better on the
bars, including a season
high 9.9 against Central
Michigan and Rhode
Island … Was solid on
the vault as well, scoring 9.8
or better six times and averaging
a 9.694 for the year … Twice
registered a 9.875 … Competed in
the all around four times, scoring a
season best 38.975 at Excite Nite in
win over Southeast Missouri and
Illinois State.
Pre-College: Finished third in
the all-around at the Regional
Qualifiers in 2000 and 2005...
National qualifier, 2000, 2003-05
where she placed fifth of the floor and
sixth on the bars... Defeated ex-Olympian
Shannon Miller on beam (9.575) at
Buckeye Classic... Placed fifth and sixth
in the all-around at the Regional Qualifiers
in 2003 and 2004.
Personal Information
Full name is Natalie Ann Rubinstein
… Parents are Richard and Karen Rubinstein
… Has two sisters, Joelle (24) and
Jackie (17) … Born on Jan. 4, 1987 in
Hollywood, Fla.
A closer look at Natalie...
My favorite part about UK gymnastics is: the competitions and the
coaching staff, they way they take care of us.
My meet ritual is: relax in a bubble bath.
My most memorable gymnastics moment is: beating (Olympic medalist)
Shannon Miller on the balance beam in 2000.
The thing I would most like to accomplish as a gymnast is: win the bars
championship at NCAAs.
If I could visit anywhere in the world, it would be: Greece! B-E-A-U-T-
I-F-U-L!
My advice to younger athletes is: Always give 110% and love what you
do.
The last book I read was: The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks
The last DVD I bought was: Elf.
Collegiate Bests
Vault: 9.875 at LSU (2/10/06); at Oregon
State (3/17/06)
Uneven Bars: 9.900 vs. Georgia (3/3/06); vs.
Central Michigan/Rhode Island (3/12/06)
Balance Beam: 9.725 vs. SE Missouri
State/Illinois State (1/14/06)
Floor Exercise: 9.875 vs. Oregon State
(3/17/06)
All-Around: 38.975 vs. SE Missouri State/Illinois
State (1/14/06)
44

Emilie Rymer
Freshman • 5-4
Hometown: Medina, Ohio
Events: All-Around
High School: Medina High School
Club: Medina Gymnastics
Career
Pre-College:
Competed for the Medina
Gymnastics Academy
and Medina High
School … In
2004, she finished
fifth at
the Level 10
regional championships
to earn an
invitation to nationals …
The next year, she took home
fifth at the Level 10 nationals in
the all-around, edging new teammate
Emily Green … Finished in the top 10
on the vault, bars and floor exercise at
the event … She won the Ohio high
school all-around state championship in
each of her three years at Medina High,
becoming only the second gymnast in Ohio
history to turn the trick three straight years …
In the three years, she won six apparatus state
titles and finished in the top three a total of 14
times … She set state meet records on vault and
bars as well as in the all-around … Was named
the Cleveland Plain-Dealer Gymnast of the Year
as a sophomore and to the 2006 All-Ohio Gymnastics
team.
Personal
Information
Full name is Emilie Katherine Rymer …
Parents are Mark and Kathy Rymer … Has a
younger brother, Dan (15), and a younger sister,
Nicole (16) … Mother ran track at UK …
Born on July 12, 1988 at Parma, Ohio.
A closer look at Emilie...
My favorite part about UK gymnastics is: the girls and coaches and
the fact that it’s more of a team sport that club gymnastics.
My meet ritual is: listen to music and visualize my routines.
My most memorable gymnastics moment is: placing fifth in allaround
at USA nationals in California my junior year.
The thing I would most like to accomplish as a gymnast is: make it
to NCAAs as a team.
My most prized possession is: my photo albums.
If I could visit anywhere in the world, it would be: Australia.
My advice to younger athletes is: work hard everyday and set goals to
shoot for.
If I could name a Kentucky Derby horse, it would be: Bud
The last book I read was: The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks
The last DVD I bought was: The Wedding
Date
45

Alison Sarucci
Senior • 5-2
Hometown: Spring, Texas
Events: uneven bars
High School: Spring
Club: Rowland/Ballard
Pronunciation: suh-ROO-chee
Career
2006: Competed on bars in all
13 meets for UK … Was at her
best down the stretch scoring a
pair of 9.850s in final two
regular season meets before
posting 9.8 in the NCAA
Regional.
2005: Sat out due to injury.
2004: Scored a season-high
9.825 on the vault against Missouri…
Recorded a season-high 9.9
second-place finish on the bars vs.
Florida… Scored a 9.825 on the floor
against both Ball State and Texas Woman’s
University.
Pre-College: 2001 Level 10 Texas State
uneven bar champion… 2002 Level 10
Texas State and Regional uneven bar
champion… Level 10 National qualifier
in 2002… 2002 Texas Merit Award
recipient.
Personal Information
Full name is Alison R. Sarucci …
Parents are Florin and Doreen Sarucci
… Has a sister, Amalie (23) … Born
on Jan. 21, 1985 at Spring, Texas.
A closer look at Alison...
My favorite part about UK gymnastics is: the support from the
coaches and fans, and of course my teammates.
My meet ritual is: to sit and relax.
My most memorable gymnastics moment is: placing fourth on bars at
the 2006 NCAA Central Regional.
The thing I would most like to accomplish as a gymnast is: to be
able to represent UK at nationals.
My most prized possession is:
If I could visit anywhere in the world, it would be: Germany to visit
all the castles.
My advice to younger athletes is: to never allow anything to stop you
from reaching your highest potential.
If I could name a Kentucky Derby horse, it would be: MAFIA
The last book I read was: The Stinky Cheese Man
The last DVD I bought was: Walk the Line
Collegiate Bests
Vault: 9.850 vs. Central Michigan/Rhode Island (3/12/06); at Oregon
State (3/17/06)
Uneven Bars: 9.9 vs. Florida (2/27/04)
Floor Exercise: 9.825 twice in 2004
46