As expected, UCLA has received National Letters of Intent from
high school athletes this week, following the beginning of the fall
signing period last Wednesday.
Gymnastics
Three gymnasts have signed with UCLA.
Ashley Peckett (Port Credit Secondary School, Mississauga,
Ontario, Canada) is the current Canadian beam champion, and
qualified for the all-around finals at the 2001 World
Championships.
Aimee Walker (Valley Village, Calif.) is training for the 2003
U.S. and World Championships.
Courtney Walker (Santa Monica High School) is a two-time Level
10 national championships qualifier.
“Once again, we are reloading with amazing talent,”
UCLA head coach Valorie Kondos Field said in a statement.
Men’s Basketball
Forward Trevor Ariza (Westchester High School, Los Angeles)
submitted his NLI on Nov. 14 to play at UCLA. He is the No. 4 power
forward in the country according to The Sporting News, and was
rated by Pac West Hoops as the No. 2 power forward on the West
Coast.
“(Ariza’s) a tremendous athlete with the versatility
to play inside and outside,” UCLA head coach Steve Lavin said
in a statement.
Men’s Tennis
Robert Yim, the No. 1 player in the U.S. Tennis Association
Boys’ 18’s singles rankings returned his NLI
Monday.
Yim, from Glendale, competed in the main draw of all four junior
grand slam tournaments, reaching the round of 16 in both the
Australian and U.S. Opens.
“I expect Robert to come in and maintain UCLA’s
tradition as one of the top teams in the country,” head coach
Billy Martin said in a statement.
Yim also reached the semifinals of the USTA Super National
Hardcourts in August.
Women’s Golf
The Bruins’ women’s golf team has added a dynamic
component to an already well-rounded squad.
Hannah Jun, a senior at Torrey Pines High School in San Diego,
submitted her NLI on Nov. 14.
Coach Carrie Leary is very optimistic that Jun can contribute to
the team as a freshman.
“I expect her to make an immediate impact with her
game,” Leary said. “She’s a really great player
with a proven junior record.”
Jun’s track record is almost as impressive as her golfing
ability. She finished second at the 2002 Junior World
Championships, shooting a sizzling 11 under par over three rounds.
She is currently ranked 13th in the national amateur rankings.
Last week, Jun set a California Interscholastic Federation
record by capturing her third consecutive CIF-San Diego Section
Championship.
The Bruins hope to be the recipient of Jun’s talents for
the next four years.
“Jun’s a huge part in our building for the
future,” Leary said.
Softball
Infielder Jodie Legaspi from Pacifica High School, Garden Grove,
Calif., has signed a letter of intent to come to UCLA.
“I can’t wait to come to UCLA,” Legaspi said.
“It’s going to be cool.”
UCLA couldn’t confirm the signing, but Legaspi did say
that she signed the National Letter of Intent.
“From when I was very little, I’ve been fascinated
by UCLA,” Legaspi said. “It has a good tradition, good
athletics and academics.”
Legaspi earned all-CIF honors last season.
Baseball
UCLA baseball announced two signings, Brant Rustich and Brian
Schroeder.
Rustich (Grossmont High School, El Cajon, Calif.), a 6-foot-6
right hander, was listed among Baseball America’s top 50 high
school prospects.
“Brant is a well-polished right-handed potential power
pitcher,” UCLA pitching coach Gary Adcock said in a
statement. “He has an extremely high upside and awesome mound
presence.”
Schroeder (Christian High School, San Diego), is the son of
former UCLA quarterback Jay Schroeder.
“Schroeder is a very competitive and tenacious left-handed
pitcher with a ton of movement on his fastball and a nasty
slider,” Adcock said.
Swimming
Three recruits were announced in the past week: Amy Thurman,
Jeana Fuccillo and Katie Nelson.
Thurman (Miramonte High School, Orinda, Calif.), currently
competes for the Orinda Aquatics club team.
“We’re very excited that Amy will be part of our
team next year,” head coach Cyndi Gallagher said in a
statement. “She was a very highly recruited athlete and will
have an immediate impact on our team.”
Fuccillo (Althoff Catholic High School, Lebanon, Ill.) is on the
national junior team and was a finalist in the 200 and 400
Individual Medley at the 2002 Senior National Championships.
“Jeana is a versatile swimmer who will help us in several
areas,” Gallagher said.
Nelson (Peninsula High School, Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.) is a
national record holder in the 1000 freestyle and a three-time YMCA
national champion in the 1650 freestyle.
“Katie will bolster us in freestyle events,”
Gallagher said. “Both Jeana and Katie will help us
tremendously next season.”