April 14, 2006

Gainesville, FL (CSTV U-WIRE) -- After opting for deferred prosecution stemming from a shoplifting charge, UF freshman gymnast Corey Hartung will still compete at the NCAA Championships, UF spokeswoman Mary Howard said Thursday.

Hartung was stopped March 13 by security at the Target, located at 3970 S.W. Archer Road, for allegedly shoplifting a $12.98 pair of sunglasses in her purse, according to a police report.

Hartung said that she was shopping at the store, thought she had her own sunglasses in her hand and put them in her purse.

"It was an accident," she said. "I'm not that kind of person. ... I would never want to hurt my teammates with this."

According to a statement from UF coach Rhonda Faehn, Hartung has agreed to pay restitution.

In a statement, Faehn said that Hartung does not have a history of disciplinary issues, and that the team will leave the incident in the past.

Hartung agreed Thursday to have the prosecution deferred for four months. The terms of the agreement stipulate that she must attend a theft correction class and complete either 12.5 hours of community service or pay $125 to the Reichert House - an after-school program for troubled youth staffed by the Gainesville Police Department.

If Hartung fulfills the agreement within four months from Thursday, the charges will be dropped.

Hartung has competed for the Gators three times since March 13 - against Utah, in the Southeastern Conference Championships and in the NCAA Regional Championships.

The Gators will compete in the NCAA Championships beginning April 20.

The freshman gymnast has led the Gators this season with six first-place all-around wins.

She tied for fifth in the all-around at the SEC Championships and placed second in the event Saturday at the NCAA South Central Regional Championships.

Hartung is only the second Gators freshman to win six or more all-around titles in her first season and has captured a team-leading 14 events, including five in floor exercise, three on the balance beam and six all-around wins.

(C) 2006 Independent Florida Alligator via CSTV U-WIRE