Pair Of USU Gymnastics Signees Do Well At Junior Olympic Nationals

 A pair of Utah State gymnastics signees had a solid performance over the weekend at the Junior Olympic National Championships in Long Beach, Calif.

Kaitlyn Betts was the Senior D division national vault champion with a 9.700, while fellow signee Sarah Landes was 12th in the Senior C division all-around with a 37.700. Betts also tied for eighth on bars with a 9.375, while Landes tied for 10th on floor with a 9.625.

“Kaitlyn is a strong vaulter, and that is why we recruited her. he will give us strength in an event where we have been very weak,” USU head coach Jeff Richards said. “Sarah competed very well at JO Nationals. She is a very consistent and strong athlete across the four events. She will bring strength to our vault, beam and floor events.”

A native of Canton, Mich., Betts competed at Euro Stars Gymnastics Club, while Landes is an Edmond, Okla., native and competed for Dynamo Gymnastics Club.

Betts and Landes are part of Richards’ four gymnast signing class to compete for the Aggies in the 2012 season. They will be joined by Breyanna Aufiero of Sparks, Nev. (Deltchev Gymnastics Club) and Kristen Meyers of Smithville, Mo. (Edge Riverside Gymnastics Club).

Utah State gymnastics finished the 2011 season with a 3-18 overall and 1-4 Western Athletic Conference record. The Aggies finished fifth at the 2011 WAC Championships at San Jose, Calif.,

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