Nov. 14, 2005

ATHENS, Ga.---- Georgia head coach Suzanne Yoculan announced Monday that Olympic silver medalist Courtney McCool has signed a letter of intent to compete with the Gym Dogs beginning in the 2007 season.

McCool will join recent Gym Dog signees Marcia Newby and Grace Taylor on the 2007 squad.

"When healthy she is a gymnast that can challenge for an NCAA all-around title," said Yoculan. "She'll have a huge impact on our team with her experience, talent and skill that assures us of a 9.9 or higher anywhere we put her. Courtney is just an unbelievable addition to what is already a very talented team."

McCool, a resident of Lees Summit, Mo., won Olympic silver as a member of the U.S. team at the summer games in Athens, Greece. Earlier in that 2004 season, she was the runner-up in the all-around at the Visa American Cup and at the U.S. Olympic Trials, and she placed first in the all-around at an Athens Olympic test event.

In 2003, McCool was a member of the first-place team at the Pan American Games and also finished second in the U.S. Championships junior division. She was also second on vault and beam in that competition.

³The three members of this class compliment each other very well. They all knew each other from national teams so this has the makings of a good class in terms of chemistry. Their styles also compliment each other. Courtney is more powerful, Marcia has line and grace, and Grace is defined by her execution,² Yoculan said.

McCool trains at Great American Gymnastics Express and is coached by Al Fong and Armine Barutyan-Fong.