Nov. 15, 2012

STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford's women's gymnastics team has signed Rachel Daum, Carinne Gale and Sophia Lee to National Letters of Intent, announced coach Kristen Smyth.

"I am so excited to welcome Rachel, Carinne and Sophia to our SWG family," said Smyth. "Tabitha Yim, our recruiting coordinator did a phenomenal job putting this outstanding class together. These student-athletes bring a wonderful mix of athleticism, artistry and personality. I am certain they will continue to help our program compete at the highest level both in the gym and in the classroom."

Daum, a Houston, Texas native, trains at Stars Gymnastics under Dan and Ashley Baker. An international elite gymnast, she competed in the 2011 U.S. Classic and Visa Championship. The 2011 national champion on vault and floor exercise was a member of the Junior Olympic National Team in 2012, when she was named Texas state balance beam, vault and all-around champion.

"Rachel is extremely powerful and mentally tough," said Smyth. "She has extensive competitive experience and shines on vault, beam and floor. We feel fortunate to have a student-athlete with her character and drive joining our program."

Gale trains at Monarch's Gymnastics in Newbury Park, Calif. where she is coached by Yelena Urusova. A 4.0 student and member of the California Scholarship Foundation, Gale took second in the state on uneven bars and floor exercise in 2011 and placed third in all-around in 2012. She was an international elite qualifier in 2009 and placed second at the U.S. Challenge in 2008.

"Carinne is stunning...her gymnastics takes your breath away," Smyth said. "She is a true artist and elegant performer. She is talented on all four events, but exceptional on bars and beam. Carinne let us know early in the process she loved our program and wanted to be at Stanford University. We believe her passion for SWG and her desire to improve in college make her a great catch."

Joining the program from Plano, Texas is Sophia Lee, where she trains at WOGA under Laurent and Cecile Landi. Lee competed as an international elite gymnast and qualified to the U.S. VISA National Championships for four consecutive years. She qualified for the Junior Olympic team after taking third on vault and all-around, fifth on uneven bars and balance beam, and eighth on floor at Junior Olympics Nationals.

"Sophia is dynamic on all four events," said Smyth. "She is powerful, explosive and extremely consistent. Her enthusiasm is infectious and she is going to be a standout perfomer in college. We are thrilled she chose Stanford."

Daum, Gale and Lee join a program that has reached NCAA regionals for 29 straight years and has reached the NCAA Super Six finals four of the past six seasons.

The Cardinal opens it season January 4 at the NorCal Quad Meet in San Jose, Calif.