GAINESVILLE, Fla. – This Gator gymnastics signee knows how to end the gymternet anticipation with a chomp.
Leanne Wong revealed the answer to one of collegiate gymnastics fans biggest questions of this NCAA signing period when she put her signature on a national letter of intent to join the Gators for the 2022 season. Wong made her collegiate choice public today at a signing event at her club gym, GAGE in Blue Springs, Mo.
Gator head coach Jenny Rowland<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.gatorzone.com_gymnastics_staff_rowland&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=fLkptO33_K9u-XgcAuSk8fbHZBmnpj2RjIwjnb7GK70&e= > has assembled quite a 2022 freshman class.
Today’s signing doubles Florida’s class for 2022. U.S. Championships’ competitor Sloane Blakely signed with the Gators earlier this week.<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_news_2020_11_11_sloane-2Dblakely-2Dsigns-2Dwith-2Dgator-2Dgymnastics-2Dteam.aspx&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=fGrA5T7tPjKIWuci3KWcpPxFHCu1a9hTyokwzUlRiu0&e= > Blakely and Wong join a pair of signees from last November – Morgan Hurd and Riley McCusker – who deferred their UF enrollment as they pursue a spot on the 2021 U.S. Olympic team. McCusker looks to enroll in the fall of 2021 while Hurd plans to join the team for the 2022 season as she aspires to compete at the 2021 World Championships, set for October 2021 in Kitakyushu, Japan. Three of the current U.S. Senior National team are part of Florida’s freshmen 2022 class.<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__usagym.org_pages_athletes_womenList.html-3Fprog-3Dw&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=2QQKM8WReV47pwiV8-WWEy0UVLwZGz7kmPleHtx77n8&e= >
About Leanne Wong:
A member of the U.S. Senior National Team since 2018-19, Wong claimed the 2019 Pan American Games uneven bars silver medal. The gold medal 2019 U.S. Pan Am roster includes three future Gators – Wong, Hurd and McCusker. At the 2019 U.S. Championships, Wong was third on beam and fifth in both all-around and bars. In her final season as a junior competitor, Wong won the 2018 U.S. Championships all-around and floor and was vault runner-up. She is training with focus on earning one of the four spots on the U.S. 2021 Olympic<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.washingtonpost.com_sports_olympics_olympic-2Dgymnastics-2Dsquads-2Dare-2Dshrinking-2Dfor-2D2020-2Dthats-2Dgood-2Dand-2Dbad-2Dfor-2Dteam-2Dusa_2019_08_10_761b807c-2Dbba2-2D11e9-2Da091-2D6a96e67d9cce-5Fstory.html&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=QgCdEyC_ukFG_WBN-lfHBF8Hg8TPXbkBYTWy122rJNQ&e= > roster.
Jenny Rowland Said:
“We are thrilled that Leanne made the decision to become a Gator! Leanne’s passionate and caring heart for those around her is visible to all, yet she is a fierce performer on the competition floor. Both Leanne’s power and grace will be an incredible addition for both the Gators and NCAA gymnastics. We look forward to seeing her dreams and goals of becoming an NCAA champion and doctor come to fruition. Gator Nation will be “chomping” at the opportunity to see Leanne in action in Exactech Arena!” – Florida Head Coach Jenny Rowland
Leanne Wong Said:
“I chose the University of Florida for the amazing gymnastics program and academic opportunities. I’m so excited to be a Florida Gator and live in a state with lots of palm trees!” – Leanne Wong
Meet the New Gator:
Leanne Wong – Overland Park, Kansas
IG leanne.wong_
* Member of 2019-20 and 2018-19 U.S. Senior National teams<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__usagym.org_pages_women_history_past-5Fnat-5Fteams-5Fsr.html&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=jjs5hEupSNPcxcBRqygwS48hRl99MtLCv3pUaTrLqrY&e= > and 2018-19 and 2017-18 U.S. Junior National teams<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__usagym.org_pages_women_history_past-5Fnat-5Fteams-5Fjr.html&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=sfp8FwnJc2jHtOygTIbXOf85E39UfEMfqGxWVsyT1e8&e= >.
* 2019 U.S. Championships balance beam<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_VUhGtIeTivU&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=2iHbr2TJ3N1qI4x5J7Oo-pT9jjW7IevzKe27E2ns4So&e= > bronze medalist – also fifth in all-around and uneven bars<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_aXCCofwo7VA&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=g6tj5mzeFy48bxOUq_Rnqz6Q63Tzgq9atcjjkKVXd7s&e= >
* Member of U.S.’s 2019 Pan American Games gold medal team and uneven bars silver medalist
* Fourth in 2019 GK U.S. Classic balance beam<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_okn2-2DS9u-2Db8&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=7Npt649UK-_i7sviGLMpCPLRPr6h_hIX0G3TQBMSM8k&e= > – also fifth in all-around and floor exercise<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_8dP32o28Nbs&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=z7yPEl3zisi9aOkuO7bwZiSPSn7a-RgVnhaIF_xksHs&e= > and eighth on bars<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_2AUvrhgfc5g&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=dvrTu2b9QgtlL3bepJGvMj1GxRhfir-oriPsXz23wyg&e= >
* Won 2019 American Cup<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__usagym.org_pages_post.html-3FPostID-3D23381&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=RS8mlWdWGlrNEG9GkJw_FtJesW2RrapCtlcwVuuaknY&e= > all-around, vault<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_sxuo2c0evd4&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=EpsboTFoM-IcG-vpAnOwAph4T9pLt_kIwfSQEuqYdfc&e= > and beam<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_yfjaci2Vl2E&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=WVmKbUvHZGD-WJACO1RcEMpG-HgIxY6srcuKRTbGd3g&e= > plus second on floor<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_C9MPA8a05CQ&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=qjokJe8kcdZtyVS3NXVaplVzCp6fBkuG3zo6VV5GEzk&e= > in senior level debut
* 2018 U.S. Championships’ junior division all-around and floor exercise champion<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_S1mQzIHP-5FEw&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=JqiBk9InxSLRuhlnmBEHiBF6E6JDGtd-PTNegs0WZnw&e= >. Vault runner-up<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_WvJGEhaTYf4&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=9gga8-H8tbexpxlAlS2oBmCoJbAm4-sxgitMtVmoJqY&e= >.
* 2018 GK U.S. Classic junior division all-around, vault<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_VQ6IAqQ9-2DGk&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=kScTthK9W1ve3gJdYgwszMq3VM4lKGGmNjBCq1hhnuI&e= > and floor<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_SYDe9xIFdvQ&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=c06MkWsFsFAjYCMXW6reUCekVJTOTUvvcLb6cu9vPWk&e= > champion. Bronze medalist on beam<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_GxFFYgKijTA&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=lRstcgDXjMN5ZJbMKbdhobojER54Etf1zXl00tPEpVs&e= >.
* Trains at Great American Gymnastics Express (GAGE) and coached by Al Fong and Armine Barutyan
* Graduates from Blue Valley High School in spring 2021
More 2022 Gator Freshmen:
Sloane Blakely – Frisco, Texas
IG: sloaneblakely
* Competed at 2019 and 2018 U.S. Gymnastics Championships [2019 floor<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_2PnALCxtFRo&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=f3QP3-e81w-MMpTAFALjclTODoDCLOgXnhSr3NfwJHM&e= >, beam<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_-2DlFkDOnqrPk&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=eY8iENGWG8w3W6W10cQU-bRjSdCh6VKCWCczsn3Br2g&e= >] [2018 beam<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_6MJxpdBeFpM&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=gI8hGB-QZKeO6D_FwShTU4Z7S2V3pQauEE7ye9j33MQ&e= >, floor<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_rAjN-2DdJ7eYw&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=B8EPWimbo8vSBNHkjCB9SPwdH-29ToY4QQOrD7mwDUw&e= >
* 2019 American Classic beam champion – second in vault and fifth on floor<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__usagym.org_PDFs_Results_2019_w-5F19amclassic-5Fsr.pdf&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=gXC9ZAQCflEjQta_CnBSMftKYydsPXN-4BLHc2Nf58E&e= >
* Member of U.S. winning team at 2019 Gymnix International in Montreal, Canada. Third in all-around and second in both beam and floor<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.sportzsoft.com_meet_meetWeb.dll_MeetResults-3FSessionId-3D37933571884370-26gotoTab-3DD&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=yqWV3mjgbiEizbh7iVayq72B2WCXzYEsIvRqN278MmQ&e= >.
* Fourth on beam<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_TnSklCGfHvQ&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=sqRhHNqDpR05A8yODM7TrmrEWop9RlvUmo6FvyRMqqY&e= > and seventh in all-around at 2018 GK U.S. Classic
* Sixth in all-around and beam at 2018 American Classic
* Trains at WOGA and coached by Tatyana Shadenko
* Graduates from Wakeland High School in spring 2021
More additions for 2022 season announced Nov. 13, 2019<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_news_2019_11_13_two-2Dus-2Dgymnastics-2Dstandouts-2Dsign-2Dwith-2Dgators.aspx&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=rC72c6LnwRM7RfUbBMF22gXqLXBp8i8qlHLGLR4Xksc&e= >:
Morgan Hurd – Middletown, Del.
Twitter: @morgihurd
* 2017 World Championships’ all-around champion; silver on balance beam
* Silver medalist on uneven bars at 2019 U.S. Championships<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_XNDQ35a1YAY&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=LrZIl9HtT_3N0xlzFazhUPGqsll7CObqtQVo-5SKjvA&s=usi11_5bIWUrtoHurDYzsyKVwmjjO0kDdJBSR56dNc0&e= >
* All-around champion at 2019 Tokyo World Cup in Tokyo, Japan
* Part of U.S.’s gold medal team at 2019 Pan American Games
* Gold medalist with 2018 U.S. World Championships team; also claimed floor exercise silver and all-around bronze
* Silver in all-around and uneven bars at 2018 U.S. Championships; bronze in floor competition
* 2018 American Cup champion
* Member of 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 U.S. Senior National Team; part of 2016-17 U.S. Junior National Team
* Member of First State Gymnastics in Newark, Del., and coached by Slava Glazounov
Riley McCusker – Brielle, N.J.
Twitter: @mccusker_riley
* Gold medalist with 2018 U.S. World Championships team
* Team and uneven bars gold medalist at 2019 Pan American Games; also claimed silver in all-around and balance beam bronze
* 2019 Birmingham World Cup all-around silver medalist
* 2018 U.S. uneven bars silver medalist; bronze for all-around and balance beam
* 2017 U.S. uneven bars champion; silver for beam and bronze in all-around competition
* Gold for all-around, balance beam and U.S. team at 2017 Jesolo Trophy in Jesolo, Italy; uneven bars silver medalist
* Member of 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 U.S. Senior National Team; part of 2016-17 U.S. Junior National Team
* Trains at Arizona Sunrays and coached by Brian Carey and Pam Evans
Gators In 2020:
Florida claimed its second-consecutive Southeastern Conference regular-season title in 2020.
The Gators ranked No. 2 nationally and compiled a 10-0 record before the COVID-19 pandemic ended the season just prior to the last weekend of regular-season action.
