Coach Kim Hughes obtained new athletes based on a two-part process. The athletes inquire about the school and the gymnastics program and the coaching staff seek them out.

“We seek them out and they seek us out. I actually got DVDs from three of them and letters of inquiry about coming to our school and then I go see them,” Hughes said.

Hughes travels both nationally and internationally to see potential recruits. There have been very few international athletes, yet Hughes makes the effort to see them.

“I flew to Canada to see Alycia train and that is how we first started the process. She sent me a DVD and a resume. It was the same sort of thing with Jasmine from Alaska and Amanda Blauvelt from New Jersey. They are long distance gals but they did part of the inquiry and so did I,” Hughes said.

Although Lipka has competed in three meets so far, Chan is the only newcomer who is actively on the roster for more than one event each meet.

Once each of the athletes proves that they are capable of competing in a collegiate event, Hughes will be able to place them in the roster and see what they can do as a Hornet gymnast.

Amanda Blauvelt: Blauvelt comes to the Hornets from Wall, New Jersey. From 2005-2007 she trained at the Will-Moor School of Gymnastics in Mt. Laurel, N.J. In 2007 Blauvelt was ranked a level 10 national qualifying gymnast and in the same year placed second in the all-around at the New Jersey state meet. Before leaving Mt. Laurel her team won five straight state titles.

Alycia Chan: Chan is an international gymnast who sent coach Kim Hughes a DVD of herself along with a resume before being recruited by Hughes. Coming from Langely, B.C., Chan was a 12-year member of the Abottsford Twisters Gymnastics Club. In the 2007 Canada Winter Games, Chan placed third in the all-around. In 2007 she was invited to compete in Elite Canada. The competition is part of a national team and stands as an Olympic Trial screening event. Chan is currently the only newcomer who has repeatedly competed in each meet this season.

Kaitie Kinser: Competing as a level 9 gymnast, Kinser was a member of the California Gymnastics Academy out of Danville, Calif. Kinser competed at the club level for 10 years before college. Her mother was coached by Kim Hughes while competing at Chico State. She is majoring in kinesiology and plans to become a personal trainer or physical therapist.

Jasmine Lipka: Lipka was a member of Arctic Gymnastics from 2002-2007. During her stint with Arctic Gymnastics Lipka qualified for Level 10 nationals on five occasions. In 2005 she competed in nationals, earning the sixth spot on floor. In that same year she competed at the Japan Hyogo State Championships where she finished fifth in the all-around. In 2006 Lipka was ranked tenth nationally on beam. She began her career as a gymnast training in a tumble bus.

Amanda Perez: Perez trained at the Mission Valley YMCA in Temecula, Calif. The 2006 year was busy for Perez as she finished second on bars at the level 9 Western Championships. In the level 9 regionals she placed first on bars and third in the all-around. She also won the level 9 state title in bars in 2006. Perez would like to major in criminal justice and become a profiler.

Bailey Sisler: Sisler is the local newcomer for the Hornets. She competed for Technique Gymnastics out of Rancho Cordova. She was named gymnast of the year for her club twice. In 2005 and 2007 Sisler qualified for the level 9 western regionals. In 2005 she was named the level 9 state champion in the all-around, on floor and on beam. After graduating from Sheldon High School in Elk Grove, Sisler plans to major in communications studies.

Alicia de la Garza can be reached at [email protected]

Staff writer Jose Martinez will present the newest members of the softball team in the next edition of “New kids on the block,” Thursday on www.statehornet.com