June 12, 2009

Stanford, Calif. - Stanford head coach Thom Glielmi announced his recruiting class for the upcoming 2009-10 school year on Friday. The CGA National Coach of the Year will welcome four new members to the team that won the NCAA title this season.

Joining the Cardinal next fall will be Eddie Penev of Fairport, N.Y. (Rochester Gymnastics), Paul Hichwa of Iowa City, Iowa (Iowa GymNest), James Fosco of Deerfield, Ill. (Buffalo Grove Gymnastics) and Jason Stevens of Plano, Texas (WOGA).

Penev has international experience competing for Bulgaria at the 2007 World Championships and the 2009 European championships.

"I am honored to have been accepted to this prestigious school and I am thrilled to join their amazing gymnastics program," said Penev.

"Eddie is a tremendous addition to the team," said Glielmi. "He will make an immediate impact on floor and vault - which is no small accomplishment as the team is very deep on those events. He also brings experience at an international level, which helps raise the expectation level in training."

Hichwa is a five-time qualifier for the U.S. Junior Olympic National Championships.

"Stanford offers me the opportunity to obtain an education that is unmatched and I'm extremely pleased that I have been accepted and have this chance," said Hichwa. "I am also looking forward to becoming a part of such a talented and accomplished team."

"Paul was a great surprise, and we are excited he is coming to Stanford," remarked Glielmi. "He has a huge upside and I anticipate he will have a breakout season next year. Our horizontal bar line-up will be challenged immediately with Paul in the gym."

Also joining the team for the Cardinal will be Fosco and Stevens.

"We are extremely pleased James chose Stanford," said Glielmi. "He is exceptional on rings - flat out - he is extremely strong. I expect him to be a contributing part of the line-up as a freshman and has the potential be All-American his first year with some refinement on his swing elements."