GymDawgs Sign Three For 2021
November 04, 2019 | Gymnastics
SEATTLE - The Washington GymDawgs announced the signing of three recruits for the 2021 season. Washington welcomes Taylor Russon, Cathy Eksteen, and Skylar Killough-Wilhelm to the GymDawg family.
A native of Texas, Eksteen has won multiple state championships on beam, as well as taking home Texas championships on bars and all-around in 2016. She finished second in Region 3 on floor in 2016, then propelled herself to JO Nationals in 2017 with a third-place regional finish on bars. Eksteen has also finished in the top ten in Texas on all-around three times and in the top 15 five times. Eksteen, who also has South African citizenship, has competed at the World Championships and at South African Nationals as well.
"We recruited Cathy from a young age, so to finally have her join our team is amazing," said head coach Elise Ray-Statz. "She comes with a wealth of experience competing internationally and she's a fierce competitor. We can expect four strong events from Cathy. She is a steady, consistent gymnast."
Russon has had an impressive career already, competing at JO Nationals the last three years running. This year, Russon finished fourth in the country on beam after finishing top-five at the Region 1 Championships on bars, beam, and all-around. At JO Nationals in 2017, Russon took second in the country on bars. She has won Regional championships on every event during her career. At the 2016 Level 10 JO Nationals, Russon won a national championship on beam and finished in the nation's top ten on all-around.
"Taylor's lines on bars and beam will impress anyone," said Ray-Statz. "She has a high level of refinement and quality of movement on both events that will help take those lineups to the next level."
Joining the GymDawgs from Iowa is Kilhough-Wilhelm. The Des Moines native has competed at JO Nationals three times, including each of the last two years. In 2019, Kilhough-Wilhelm finished top-five on bars, beam, floor, and all-around at JO Nationals, taking second in the country on bars. In 2018, she was just as impressive, with top five finishes on vault, bars, beam, and all-around and a seventh-place finish on floor. This last year saw Kilhough-Wilhelm win Region 4 championships on bars, beam, and all-around: she finished second on vault and floor as well.
"Sky is an incredible gymnast on all four events," said Ray-Statz. "She's beautiful to watch, has great difficulty, and shows impressive consistency. She will be an impactful and impressive freshman to watch."
Washington's regular season will begin on the road on January 10 at Michigan. The GymDawgs will have five home meets in 2020, with the first on January 20 against Boise State. Tickets for all home meets are available online.
Make sure to follow the GymDawgs on Twitter with the username @UWGymnastics and on Instagram at uwgymnastics.
A native of Texas, Eksteen has won multiple state championships on beam, as well as taking home Texas championships on bars and all-around in 2016. She finished second in Region 3 on floor in 2016, then propelled herself to JO Nationals in 2017 with a third-place regional finish on bars. Eksteen has also finished in the top ten in Texas on all-around three times and in the top 15 five times. Eksteen, who also has South African citizenship, has competed at the World Championships and at South African Nationals as well.
"We recruited Cathy from a young age, so to finally have her join our team is amazing," said head coach Elise Ray-Statz. "She comes with a wealth of experience competing internationally and she's a fierce competitor. We can expect four strong events from Cathy. She is a steady, consistent gymnast."
Russon has had an impressive career already, competing at JO Nationals the last three years running. This year, Russon finished fourth in the country on beam after finishing top-five at the Region 1 Championships on bars, beam, and all-around. At JO Nationals in 2017, Russon took second in the country on bars. She has won Regional championships on every event during her career. At the 2016 Level 10 JO Nationals, Russon won a national championship on beam and finished in the nation's top ten on all-around.
"Taylor's lines on bars and beam will impress anyone," said Ray-Statz. "She has a high level of refinement and quality of movement on both events that will help take those lineups to the next level."
Joining the GymDawgs from Iowa is Kilhough-Wilhelm. The Des Moines native has competed at JO Nationals three times, including each of the last two years. In 2019, Kilhough-Wilhelm finished top-five on bars, beam, floor, and all-around at JO Nationals, taking second in the country on bars. In 2018, she was just as impressive, with top five finishes on vault, bars, beam, and all-around and a seventh-place finish on floor. This last year saw Kilhough-Wilhelm win Region 4 championships on bars, beam, and all-around: she finished second on vault and floor as well.
"Sky is an incredible gymnast on all four events," said Ray-Statz. "She's beautiful to watch, has great difficulty, and shows impressive consistency. She will be an impactful and impressive freshman to watch."
Washington's regular season will begin on the road on January 10 at Michigan. The GymDawgs will have five home meets in 2020, with the first on January 20 against Boise State. Tickets for all home meets are available online.
Make sure to follow the GymDawgs on Twitter with the username @UWGymnastics and on Instagram at uwgymnastics.
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