Two women’s gymnastics recruits, set to join the Golden Gopher program in the fall of 2008, competed in the Junior Olympic State Championships in their respective states last weekend. Lucy Ennis won the all around at the Minnesota state championship, while Kylie Smith won the all around at the Oklahoma state meet.

“It has been a thrilling year for our two incoming recruits, and to see them moving toward the end of their USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic careers as the premier gymnasts in their state is very exciting. We have great hope for their future potential as Golden Gophers,” said co-head coach Meg Stephenson.

Ennis competed in Minnesota’s J.O. State Championship, which was hosted by her home club, Twin City Twisters. She won the all around title with a score of 37.90, and was the beam champion with a score of 9.65. Ennis placed in the top three on bars and floor, earning scores of 9.30 and 9.40, respectively. She finished fourth on vault with a 9.55.

Smith competed in Oklahoma’s J.O. State Championship in Oklahoma City, Okla., hosted by Dynamo Gymnastics. She took four individual titles at the meet, including all around the all around, with a personal-best score of 38.10. She also won on vault (9.625), beam (9.525), and floor (9.525). Smith was the runner-up on bars with a score of 9.425. She trains at Kraft Gymnastics.

Both Ennis and Smith led their club teams to state titles.