Dec. 19, 2006

IOWA CITY - Iowa men's gymnastics coach Tom Dunn announced the signing of Michael Jiang of Littleton, CO, to a National Letter of Intent. Jiang will join the Hawkeyes in August, 2007.

Jiang, who attended Columbine High School, won the 2005 Junior Olympic National Championship on pommel horse with a 9.90, and is the two-time defending USAG Region IX All-Around Champion. He also placed fifth in the all-around in the 16-18 age group at the USA National Championships last August.

He is coached by his father Hong Jiang, who owns Chatfield Gymnastics. His mother is also a coach and both his parents worked in the national program in China prior to coming to the United States. His grandfather, Jibai Feng, was a judge for China at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

"We only signed one gymnast this fall, but Michael will be an excellent addition to our team," Dunn said.

Iowa's last Columbine High School graduate was Don Jackson, the 2000 NCAA Champion on Pommel Horse