MSU Gymnastics Adds Two Student-Athletes in 2008 Class
11/19/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Nov. 19, 2007
East Lansing, Mich. - Michigan State University gymnastics head coach Kathie Klages announced today that two student-athletes have signed letters of intent to attend the University in the fall of 2008. Jaclyn Berg (Tinley Park, Ill./Victor J. Andrew) and Alyssa Brennan (Palm Bay, Fla./Palm Bay) make up the Spartans' 2008 newcomer class.
"Alyssa and Jackie balance one another out in their strengths which will help this program to become a Big Ten power in the future," said Klages of the two newcomers. "They are a perfect match for our program."
Jaclyn Berg competes for the United Gymnastics club team for coach Glen Willmeng. This season, she was fourth in the all-around competition at the USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic Level 10 National Championships, while also placing third on the uneven bars and tied for eighth on the balance beam. Her performance qualified her to the Junior Olympic National Team. Berg, the daughter of Joel and Berni Berg, was 12th in 2006 in the all-around and sixth on the uneven bars, and in 2005 was 24th in the all-around.
"Jackie is a great all around gymnast with the uneven bars as her best event," said Klages. "She fell in love with the University on her official visit and has quickly developed into a true green Spartan. We expect her to make an immediate impact in the all-around next year."
Alyssa Brennan is a member of the Harbor City Gymnastics Club in Melbourne, Fla. for coaches Mark and Anne Weber. Brennan was a 2006 USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic Level 10 National qualifier, placing 10th in the vault. In addition, she is a a five-time Junior Olympic Level 10 Region 8 qualifier (2003-07), with her best performance coming in 2006 when she was third in the all-around. Brennan is the daughter of William and Nancy Brennan.
"Alyssa excels on the vault and floor exercise and will bring a high level of difficulty on these two events to our team in 2009," said Klages. "She visited the University in the summer and hasn't stopped talking about becoming a Spartan since that time. Her enthusiasm for the sport of gymnastics combined with her desire to become an outstanding Spartan student-athlete are traits that the coaching staff are really looking forward to."