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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah gymnastics announced on Wednesday the signing of Canadian National team member Sydney Soloski and U.S. Junior Olympic national champion and team member Alexia Burch to National Letters of Intent.
“Sydney and Alexia are accomplished athletes who will come in and have an immediate impact on our lineup,” co-head coach Tom Farden said in a statement about the pair, who will join the team next fall.
Soloski has been a member of the Canadian National team since 2014 and is in her second year on the Senior National team. She won the gold medal on floor and placed third in the all-around at the 2015 Gymnix International meet. She also won the balance beam title at the 2015 Provincial Championships.
“We’re excited to watch Sydney’s success in international competition translate into dynamic college performances,” Farden said. “She is an explosive floor worker and a former national champion on the balance beam.”
Soloski's other accomplishments include taking second on floor at the 2015 Elite Canada meet and the 2016 World Challenge Cup and an all-around and vault win at the 2014 Coupe Avenir, including second place on bars and floor. She also secured Canada’s win at the Top Gym meet in 2014 when she placed second on beam and third on floor.
“I love the coaches, the team and Salt Lake City,” Soloski said of signing with Utah.
Burch, who qualified for the 2015 Nastia Liukin Cup, is just as decorated with accomplishments. She was the 2015 Junior Olympic all-around and floor champion. She also won the vault and beam, placed second in the all-around and was third on floor at the 2016 Region 1 Championships. In the 2016 Nevada State Championships, she became the beam champion and placed second on floor and fourth in the all-around.
“Alexia is talented on all four events,” Farden said.
This year Burch won the all-around and placed in the top four on all four events at the San Diego Classic and the all-around and beam at the Boise State Gymnastics Open, where she placed second on the other three events she didn’t win.
“(She) is really excited about the prospect of competing in front of our legendary crowds,” said Farden.
Burch wholeheartedly agrees with her future coach.
“When I was 10 years old, I came to a meet here. I loved the atmosphere,” she said.
“The fans will love her, too,” added Farden.
Fans can see the Red Rocks on Friday, Dec. 9, at the Huntsman Center when the gymnasts host their annual Red Rocks preview. The season begins Saturday, Jan. 7, when the Utes host Michigan.
