Elkind, Rakes Sign Early with Michigan Men's Gymnastics
11/26/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan men's gymnastics head coach Kurt Golder has announced the signing of Andrew Elkind (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East HS) and Aaron Rakes (Lexington, Ky./Paul Laurence Dunbar HS) to National Letters of Intent during the NCAA's early signing period. These two student-athletes are the first of the Wolverines' 2003-04 recruiting class.
Elkind is a three-time Academic All-American (2000-02) who carries above a 4.0 GPA and is a two-time Junior Olympic National participant. During the 2001-02 season, Elkind was the Region 7, Class 2 all-around champion and placed eighth on rings at the Junior Olympic Nationals in Class 2. In the 2000 Junior Olympic Nationals he placed 19th in the all-around in Class 3.
A member of Queen City Gymnastics, Rakes is a three-time Academic All-American (2000-02) and two-time Junior National Team member (1999, 2001). He placed ninth in the all-around and second on vault at the 2002 Junior USA Championships while competing in the Junior Elite one division. In 2001, Rakes earned a spot on the Junior National Team and in national competition placed sixth in the all-around and second on vault. He was second in the all-around at the 2001 Junior USA Championships when he won the high bar title, was runner-up on rings and took third on horizontal bar.
U-M opens the 2002-03 season with its annual Maize and Blue intrasquad scrimmage on Friday, Dec. 15, at 1 p.m.
Contact: Adam Koester (734) 763-4423
