Apollo gymnast bound for bluegrass

The University of Kentucky wasn't Paige Krall's only option, but it was her only choice.

Krall has dreamed about wearing a Wildcats leotard since she was old enough to turn a double somersault.

So the Westfield High School senior enthusiastically agreed when coach Mo Mitchell offered her an opportunity to join one of the Southeastern Conference's up-and-coming programs.

"I can't wait to be a part of it and to compete for them," Krall said. "Kentucky was my number-one school and I worked really hard to get to it."

Krall spent her first club season at Apollo Gymnastics Center refining the Level 10 skills—a Yurchenko vault, side aerial on beam and pike Jaeger on bars—that earned her a spot on a Wildcats squad that established 22 records last winter.

"I definitely think it's prepared me to compete at that level," said Krall, who placed fourth in the all-around at the state meet and qualified for the Junior Olympic National Championships.

"I'm still adding little things here and there, a little bit harder series on beam, an extra connection on bars," she said.

As the 2009-10 season begins this weekend at the Richmond Fall Classic, Krall is hoping to become the next Wildcat to be named SEC Freshman of the Year, following Whitney Rose, a former junior elite who trained at Kurt Thomas Gymnastics before emerging as one of Kentucky's top all-around performers.

Krall is already in that class as a gymnast, having competed in two national championship events and capturing a state uneven bars title.

Her side aerial on the balance beam is the staple of an all-around routine that helped her win the all-around title at last winter's Frederick Classic and earn a season-best score of 36.525 at the Region 7 championships.

Krall's performance at regionals was especially meaningful because Mitchell was there to witness it, along with Kentucky assistants Chuck Dickerson and Heather Hite.

Following an unofficial visit to the university campus during the summer, Krall accepted a full scholarship offer and is now preparing for her final club season—a 10-meet farewell tour that will feature competitions at Parkettes and Hills as well as invitationals in Orlando and Cancun.

"It's going to be really good for us going up against so many good clubs. I think we're ready to do that," said Krall, who is a featured performer on a star-filled Level 10 squad that also includes National qualifier Ebony Walters (Maryland), National Invitational Tournament uneven bars silver medalist Megan McDonald (Iowa State), National Invitational Tournament balance beam and vault champion Kristin Blades, Level 9 all-around national champion Caity Cantello, Group AAA state balance beam champion Megan Melendez and Battlefield's Erin Turner.

"Our team is going to have a really good season this year," Krall said. "We've been working really hard for our colleges and for ourselves and I think we're all going to make it to nationals. That's our biggest goal."