Baylor acrobatics and tumbling signed nine well-rounded and talented student-athletes for its 2018 recruiting class during the early signing period in November. Third-year head coach Felecia Mulkey’s first two signing classes helped produce national championships in 2015 and 2016, and the hope is to continue the excellence that Mulkey has brought to the program so quickly.
“I am thrilled to welcome these new Bears and their families into our Baylor family,” said Mulkey. “This is the most well-rounded group that I have signed as a head coach. This signing class brings a specific set of skills to the table from different training disciplines. We were able to create some depth in certain areas that will allow us to remain competitive in the years to come. We took a quality over quantity approach to this signing class and we believe they will make an immediate impact. These student-athletes will not only excel in our sport, but could possibly change the game.”
Among the country-wide nine signees, five are from Texas, one from California, one from Florida, one from Illinois and one from Maryland. Bios for each student-athlete are below.
MORGAN CELUM | GEORGETOWN HS | GEORGETOWN, TX
High School: Trained in competitive cheer at Rebelz Cheer and Tumbling … Two-time NCA All-American and won multiple team state and national championships … National Honor Society member … Finished in top five percent of graduating class … Rotary Scholar.
ABIGAIL CLOUSE | EDWARD S. MARCUS HS | FLOWER MOUND, TX
High School: Trained in competitive cheer at Cheer Athletics … Three-time NCA champion … Three-time ACA champion … Two-year member of American Sign Language Honor Society … Published writer and graphic designer for school newspaper … Three-time Magnificent Marauder Leadership Award honoree.
ALEXIS FOWLKES | CLOVIS WEST HS | FRESNO, CA
High School: Trained in acrobatic gymnastics at Gymnastics Beat of Fresno … Played golf and was cheerleader at Clovis West High School … Acrobatics accolades include earning eight state championship gold medals, six regional championship gold medals, two silver national championship medals, one fifth place national title … Golf honors include all-track first place team award four years straight … Honor roll student-athlete all through high school and junior high.
BRIANA HARRIS | STEELE HS | CIBOLO, TX
High School: Trained in competitive cheer at Star Vipers … As track athlete was two-time high jump district champion and 4x100 relay district champ in 2013 … As competitive cheer athlete was four-time NCA competitive cheer champion, cheerleading worlds bronze and silver medalist and Nfinity Legend … Member of National Honor Society.
MORGANNE HENDRICKSON | FRANCIS SCOTT KEY HS | TANEYTOWN, MD
High School: Trained in gymnastics at Frederick Gymnastics Club … State & regional qualifier … Honor Roll member … National Honor Society member.
MADISON KRUSE | OVIEDO HS | OVIEDO, FL
High School: Trained in competitive cheer for Brandon All-Stars … National Honor Society member each year at Oviedo High School … A-B Honor Roll member … Finished in top 25 percent of class.
EMILY RICHARD | MARSHALL HS | SAN ANTONIO, TX
High School: Trained in acrobatics gymnastics at Aerial Athletics … 2016 national champion in acrobatic gymnastics women’s pair … National Honor Society member … Science National Honor Society member … Marshall High School English Scholar … Ranked fourth out of 650 students in class.
DAYANDREA THOMPSON | BOLINGBROOK HS | BOLINGBROOK IL
High School: Trained in competitive cheer at Ice All-Stars and California All-Stars … 2014 world champion … Top All-American cheerleader … World Language Honor Society member for Spanish language.
BAYLEY WILSON | CENTENNIAL HS | FRISCO, TX
High School: Trained in Gymnastics at WOGA … Competed in diving for Centennial High School … Practiced karate in Florida … 2005 ATA national sparring champion … 2005-06 Florida state all-around gymnastics champion … Took third on bars at 2012 WOGA Classic national meet … Placed third on floor in 2012 Houston National Invitational … Finished fifth on floor in Western National Championships … Took fourth on beam in Level 9/10 state championships … Top 10 finisher in state of Texas … Top 10 finisher in Region 3 for Level 9/10 championships … Earned varsity Letter in three-meter spring board diving.
