Nov. 16, 2012
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Nicole Medvitz, Christina Postiglione and Emma Sibson each signed National Letters of Intent to attend Penn State and compete with the women's gymnastics team beginning in 2014, third year head coach Jeff Thompson announced today.
"We have a tremendous hole to fill with the graduation of Madison Merriam and Sharaya Musser, two of Penn State's all-time leading performers," said Thompson. "However, we feel like we have done a good job of attracting the right mix of gymnastics talent to be even better next season. All three of these young ladies have competed at the highest level, both nationally and internationally. Sibson performed very well at the Canadian championships, Medvitz is currently competing in Germany and Postiglione just returned from the famous Bela Karolyi ranch in Houston where she attended the US National team training camp."
Thompson expects all three athletes to compete in the All-Around.
Medvitz will join the Nittany Lions after being a member at ENA Paramus in Paramus, N.J. where she is coached by Craig Zappa. The 2012 Region Seven Uneven Bars and Balance Beam Champion, Medvitz was also named a 2011 and 2012 Junior Olympic National Balance Beam Champion. Medvitz is a senior at Paramus High School in Paramus, N.J. and the daughter of Robert and Denise Medvitz.
"Nicole is a two-time National Champion on balance beam and also has an outstanding uneven bars routine," says Thompson. "We can count on 9.9's and up from Nicole on those two events. She will be a champion for Penn State on bars and beam as she continues to improve on Vault and Floor."
Postiglione does her training at Gold Medal Gymnastics Center in Selden, N.Y. and is coached by Tammy Marshall-Panten. She was a 2012 Junior Olympics participant, placing third on the Floor, fifth on Balance Beam and 11th in the All-Around. In addition, she swept the 2012 Region 6 championship competition by winning every event and the All-Around. Postiglione attended Newfield High School and her parents are Jim and Ginger Postiglione.
"Christina is outstanding on all four events and will be a crowd favorite for Penn State fans," said Thompson. "We see her competing week in and week out as one of the top all-around gymnasts in the Big Ten. Her outgoing and bubbly personality shines through in everything she does."
Sibson is a senior at Spring Creek Academy in Allen, Texas and is part of Zenith Elite Gymnastics. She is coached by Tatiana Schegolkova and Alex Atamas and was a 2010 Junior Olympic National Vault Champion, a 2010 Visa Championships Qualifier and finished second on Vault at Canada's Winter Games. She is the daughter of Byron and Cheryl Sibson.
"Emma will be a star for us on Vault and Floor. She is a former US Champion on Vault and recently used her dual citizenship to place 2nd on that same event in the Canadian Championships," said Thompson. "We can count on big scores from Emma on those two events and consistent performances on bars and beam every meet."
On December 14, Penn State Men's and Women's Gymnastics will host the second annual Blue-White Showcase at Rec Hall, beginning at 7 p.m. You have a chance at being one of the guest judges for the event. Click here. The event is free and open to the public but a donation to Toys For Tots is encouraged and appreciated around the Holiday Season!
Season tickets and single meet tickets, including double dual meets are now on sale for the 2012-13 Penn State men's and women's gymnastics seasons. All tickets can be purchased by calling Penn State Athletics at 1-800-NITTANY or by visiting the Athletic Ticket Office inside the Bryce Jordan Center.
The Penn State women's gymnastics team is on Twitter. Follow the team (@PennStateWGYM) to get the inside scoop. The Nittany Lions are also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pennstatewomensgymnastics.