The recruiting process is grueling for athletes, parents and coaches of potential scholarship athletes. Making decisions as to what school best fits the academic interests, the gymnastics goals of the athlete and the geographical constraints are enough to earn everyone involved a front row seat at the loony farm. Then it comes to an end. The relief and related excitement make the trials and tribulations well worth while. (after all trials and tribulations are simply the vehicle we use to get us to where we want to go). For Nicolle Eastman, that would be KENT STATE UNIVERSITY.
Nicolle is one of the newer members of the Twistars family but has immediately made an impact on teammates and coaches. She is not only talented and hard working but funnier than Larry the cable guy on a good night (appropriate comparison for someone who is from BURTUCKY …. located just outside of Flint).
Nicolle got off to a slow start in the recruiting process, that is until she captured the Junior D age group title at the Level 10 Regional Championships and earned a qualification to her first J.O. Nationals. At Nationals she displayed her talents again. Although she wasn’t satisfied (an indication of her character), college coaches were impressed. Western Michigan, Southern Utah, University of Washington, Michigan State and eventually Kent State all expressed interest. In the end, Nicolle decided to accept the FULL RIDE ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP at KENT where she will become a GOLDEN FLASH in the fall of 2012.
Congratulations to Nicolle and her Mom and Dad, Michelle and Andrew McDowell of Burton. Now you can relax …. until Monday.
