Two-time Defending NCAA Champion Alabama Gymnastics signs two - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

The Alabama gymnastics team has signed Katie Bailey and Amanda Jetter to national letters of intent head coach Sarah Patterson announced Friday. 

"We are very excited to have Katie and Amanda join the Alabama gymnastics family," Patterson said. "Katie has been a national champion as a Level 10 gymnast while Amanda has enjoyed great success at the Elite level. History has shown us that we are at our best when we have that kind of mix of the best of Level 10 and Elite athletes on our team." 

The 2011 USA Junior Olympic national all-around and floor exercise champion, Bailey trains at High Point Gymnastics Academy where she is coached by Rob Travers, Buddy Thorburn and Jenna Squires.  Bailey won the 2011 and 2012 Region 8 all-around title as well as the 2012 vault championship. A 2010, 2011 and 2012 USA Junior Olympic National Championship qualifier, Bailey was also a 2011 Nastia Liukin Super Girl Cup qualifier. 

"I chose Alabama because of the environment, the coaches, the sense of community and the overall program," Bailey said. "It also keeps me close to my family." 

A senior at Robert B. Glenn High School, Bailey carries a 3.7 grade point average. A native of Kernersville, N.C., she is the daughter of Katherine and Alex Bailey. 

A four-year member of the United States National Team, Jetter competes for Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy - the same gym that produced current Tide senior Ashley Priess - where she is coached by Mary Lee Tracy, Rachael Tracy, Whitney Snowden and Amanda Surine.  The 2007 USA Junior Olympic National Champion, she has competed internationally for Team USA in Italy, Belgium and France, helping win team gold twice. 

"Alabama is one of the friendliest places I have ever been to," Jetter said. "I felt so comfortable around the gymnastics team and the campus is beautiful. It is such a peaceful and pleasant place to be." 

The daughter of Denise and Gerald Jetter, she is a native of Milford, Ohio, and is a senior at Milford High School where she is an honors student.  

"Our fans are going to love Katie's explosive and dynamic brand of gymnastics and Amanda's elegant lines, style and flawless execution," Patterson said. "We can't wait for them to join us here at the Capstone next fall." 

While the freshman class of 2014 is finishing their high school careers, the current Alabama Gymnastics team is preparing for the 2013 season.

INFORMATION SOURCE: University of Alabama Athletics