Women's Gymnastics | November 28, 2018

KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan gymnastics program and head coach Penny Jernigan have announced that five student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at Western Michigan University. The five signees are Ronni Binstock, Amanda Gruber, Payton Murphy, Josie Thomas and Charolette Tishkoff.

"Coach Scharns and I believe our 2019-2020 recruiting class is one of the best in school history," Jernigan said. "All five athletes are strong all-arounders with JO national experience. They all demonstrate great leadership skills and a strong work ethic both in the gym and in the classroom."

Ronni Binstock
Severna Park, Md.
Club: Docksiders Gymnastics Inc.

As a Level 10 gymnast, took first in the floor exercise (9.700) and placed third as an all-arounder (36.875) at the 2018 Maryland state meet. Placed second on bars (9.650) and third in the all-around (37.675) at the Region 7 meet. Scored a 37.725 as an all-arounder at the 2018 Junior Olympic Nationals. Was the all-around champion, vault, bars and floor champion for Team USA at the Maccabi Games in 2015.

Career highs: 9.650 (V), 9.650 (UB), 9.375 (BB), 9.375 (FX), 9.375 (AA)

Coach Jernigan on Binstock:
"Ronni is a person of good character and leadership. We love her passion for the sport, and she will be a solid all-arounder for us. Vault, bars and floor are her strongest events."

Amanda Gruber
Riverside, Ill.
Club: Flying High Gymnastics

As a Level 10 gymnast, placed third on the balance beam (9.475) and eighth as an all-arounder (36.450) at the at the 2018 Illinois state meet. Scored a 36.975 as an all-arounder at the Region 5 meet and a 36.750 at the 2018 Junior Olympic Nationals.

Career highs: 9.500 (V), 9.350 (UB), 9.600 (BB), 9.625 (FX), 37.375 (AA)    

Coach Jernigan on Gruber:
"Amanda is a powerful gymnast with a positive mindset. She is a strong all-around contender. Her top events are vault, beam and floor."

Payton Murphy
Carol Stream, Ill.
Club: Palmer's Gymnastics Inc.

As a Level 10 gymnast, took first in the all-around (38.725), floor exercise (9.875), balance beam (9.600) and uneven bars (9.525) and third on the vault (9.725) at the 2018 Illinois state meet. Won the floor exercise (9.650) at the 2018 Region 5 meet, also finishing as runner-up in the all-around (38.075) and on beam (9.500). Went on to compete in the Junior Olympic Nationals, scoring a 37.525 as an all-arounder.

Career highs: 9.725 (V), 9.525 (UB), 9.600 (BB), 9.875 (FX), 38.725 (AA)

Coach Jernigan on Murphy:
"Payton is an awesome competitor with desire to achieve more. We expect her to make an immediate impact for us on all four events."

Josie Thomas
Frederick, Md.
Club: Frederick Gymnastics Club

As a Level 10 gymnast, took second on the uneven bars (9.450) at the at the 2018 Maryland state meet and placed third in the all-around (36.775). Scored a 36.675 as an all-arounder at the Region 7 meet.

Career highs: 9.725 (V), 9.450 (UB), 9.475 (BB), 9.525 (FX), 37.725 (AA)    

Coach Jernigan on Thomas:
"Josie has tons of ability, a great personality and we think her best gymnastics will be as a Bronco. She is a very strong all-arounder with exceptional technique. She will be a standout on all four events."

Charlotte Tishkoff
Mesa, Ariz.
Club: Gold Medal Gymnastics

As a Level 10 gymnast, finished first in the floor exercise (9.675) and was runner-up on the uneven bars (9.450) and as an all-arounder (38.025) at the 2017 Arizona Optional State Championships.

Career highs: 9.625 (V), 9.450 (UB), 9.550 (BB), 9.675 (FX), 38.025 (AA)

Coach Jernigan on Tishkoff:
"Charlotte is a very powerful and graceful gymnast. We look forward to her calm and confident demeanor and leadership skills. Her standout events are bars, beam and floor."