IOWA CITY, IA - Women's Gymnastics Head Coach Larissa Libby announced Wednesday that Emma Stevenson has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Iowa next fall. Stevenson is the first commitment to the 2009 recruiting class.

"We are extremely excited to add Emma and her family to University of Iowa gymnastics," said Libby. "Emma represents everything we look for in our student-athletes: leadership, athletic ability, academic excellence and a real sense of team. For us, she represents the total package."

Stevenson hails from Winfield, Illinois and attends Wheaton North High School. She took home sixth place on bars at the 2008 National Competition and is a three-time Junior Olympic (J.O.) qualifier. Stevenson also placed third at the 2008 AA Illinois State Championships and was named a Regional Bar Champion in 2005.

Her accolades in the classroom also are worth mentioning. Stevenson was a member of the high honor roll during all four years at Wheaton North and is ranked in the top seven percent of her class.

Stevenson said there were flaws on each visit she took except Iowa, making her college decision a fairly easy one.

"Iowa set the standard for me," said Stevenson. "I got along with the coaches and gymnasts real well and the campus was extraordinary. Everything fell into place in a perfect way."

"We believe she will have an outlasting impact on the team, both in and out of the gym," added Libby. "We couldn't be happier to have her as the newest GymHawk."