Docksiders Gymnasts Fincham and
Garcia Sign Letters of Intent
Docksiders Gymnasts Rachel Fincham and Toi Garcia have signed their
national letters of Intent for Full Athletic Scholarships to NC State
University and Auburn University respectively. This will mark
scholarships number 69 and 70 for coach Bob Ouellette’s gymnastics
coaching career which
spans
over 29 years.
Rachel Fincham is a 3 time National Competitor who has placed as high as 8th All-Around in National level competitions. She finished 8th in the 2007 National Championships with a combined score of 37.45. She also finished 3rd on Uneven Bars in 2008 with the high score of 9.60. Rachel was the Maryland State All-Around Champion in 2008 with the score of 37.35 and also earned State Champion status on both Uneven Bars with a 9.55 and on Floor Exercise with a 9.45. Rachel has been a Level 10 gymnast at Docksiders for the past 5 years and has been learning gymnastics at the gym since she was 3 years old. She was pursued by many colleges during the recruiting season but knew early on the North Carolina State University was the place for her. In April of 2008 she took an unofficial visit to the college campus where she confirmed that she would become a member of the Wolfpack with a verbal commitment. Signing her letter of intent is the next step to following her dream of competing in college when she graduates. Rachel currently attends Annapolis Area Christian School where she is on the Distinguished Honor roll. In her Junior Year she won an award for outstanding achievement in Anatomy/Physiology for having the highest grade. Rachel also won an award that was presented by President Bush titled the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for her volunteer services to Guiding Eyes for the Blind. This special work involved raising working dogs to help disabled people. Rachel is planning to study Nutrition at NC State with the hopes of becoming a physical therapist after college graduation. When asked why she chose NC State for her college career she says, “I loved the coaches and all the girls on the Wolfpack team and it feels like home when I am there. Academically I am excited about NC State’s excellent science program.”
Toi Garcia has fought her way back from a horrific injury in 2007 and made her way to the top again. Signing a letter of intent to Auburn University did not seem possible in 2006, but she beat the odds and sign she did! She has been a Level 10 at Docksiders for 4 years and has literally grown up in the gym. She is a 2 Time National Qualifier, in 2005 and 2008, who was also named alternate in 2006. At the 2008 Junior Olympic Nationals she placed 5th All-Around scoring her personal best of 37.95. That year she took 2nd place on Floor Exercise, which has become one of her specialties, with a 9.625. She helped her Region 7 Team place 1st in the National Team competition as well. She is the 2 time Christmas on the Chesapeake All-Around Champion and boasts many state titles as well. Her latest Achievement was being named alternate to the Region 7 All Star Team which went to compete in Puerto Rico in November. The Severn High School senior is a peer counselor and is involved with the S4S which works for the goal of helping children in Uganda rebuild their schools. She plans to major in journalism and has hopes to attend law school after she graduates for Auburn University. Toi says this about Auburn, “as soon as I stepped foot on the AU campus, immediately I felt right at home and knew this was where I wanted to spend the next four years of my life.”
Docksiders Gymnastics wishes the best of luck to both Rachel and Toi. We know the life lessons they have learned through their many years in the gym will help them persevere over the challenges they will soon face in college. Good luck in your senior season and remember you will be a Docksider in your heart forever!!
