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April 12, 2007

The University of Illinois women's gymnastics team announced today the addition of one gymnast to the squad for the 2007-08 season. Samantha Perino (Tabb High School, Yorktown, Va.) signed a national letter of intent with the Fighting Illini on Wednesday and joins Allison Buckley (Conant High School, Schaumburg, Ill.) and Melissa Fernandez (Eudora High School, Eudora, Kan.), who both signed in November, in next year's freshman class.

Head coach Bob Starkell expressed excitement at the ability that these young athletes will bring to the team.

"Samantha's presence really capped off a great recruiting class for us," head coach Bob Starkell said. "Each of the three student-athletes has a different quality about them that should really balance out our strengths on four events. As a coaching staff, we will be eagerly anticipating these young ladies on campus next fall."

Samantha Perino (Tabb High School, Yorktown, Va./ Ocean Tumblers Gymnastics)
Notes: Four time Level 10 Regional Qualifier ... Placed 11th in the all-around at 2006 Region VII Level 10 Regionals ... Placed 13th in the all-around at 2005 Region VII Level 10 Regionals ... Top four all-around finish at Virginia State Championships (2005-2007) ... 2005 State Beam Champion ... 2007 National High School Senior Showcase Invitee ... 2 time Level 9 Regional Qualifier ... Level 9 Eastern National Competitor - 3rd place beam

Coach Starkell on Samantha
"We are very excited to add Samantha to our Fighting Illini family. She is a delightful young lady and she should see competitive action her freshmen year. Samantha is dynamic in her gymnastics and her floor skills are very impressive. She competes in a very tough region so this should help her compete in the Big Ten. Both her parents are from Illinois, so I believe this will be a very good fit for her."