TOWSON, Md. – Mary Elle Arduino, Cortni Baker and Erin Tucker have all signed National Letters of Intent (NLIs) to attend Towson University and compete for the Tiger gymnastics team, Head Coach Vicki Chliszczyk announced today.
 
"We are very excited to welcome these three newcomers to the program," enthused Chliszczyk. "Each year we look for athletes who exhibit character and work ethic and who fit within the core values of our program vision, and I am very proud to say that these three will be joining us in the fall."
 
Arduino, an Albany, New York native, qualified for Junior Olympic (JO) Nationals in 2014, placing 12th on beam with a 9.45 and 29th in all-around with a 36.925. She won the 2014 state championship on beam with a 9.65 and placed third in all-around with a 37.425. In 2012, she won the regional championship in beam. Arduino, who competes for World Class Gymnastics Academy, was awarded the annual leadership award at the Parkette Invitational.
 
"From the first time I set foot on campus, Towson University felt like home," explained Arduino, when asked why she chose Towson.
 
Baker is a four-time JO national qualifier who competes with Brestyans Gymnastics. She finished 10th on beam at Nationals in 2014 with a 9.400 and 21st in the all-around with a score of 37.100. At Regionals in 2014, Baker placed second in the all-around (37.350) and first on beam with a 9.475. The Andover, Massachusetts native also won the all-around with a 37.750 at the 2014 Starlight Invitational.
 
"I chose Towson because right away I noticed a close connection to the coaches, the girls, and the campus, and I think the academic curriculum is wonderful," said Baker. "The location of the school is a perfect distance from where I live, and I couldn't be happier with the choice I made."
 
Tucker qualified for JO Nationals in 2013 and the 2014 NIT. She placed second on vault at the NIT with a 9.625, eighth on beam (9.200), seventh on floor (9.300) and 16th in the all-around. The Staten Island, New York native won the 2014 state championship on vault and placed second in the all-around with a 38.475. She also won the 2014 Brooklyn Bridge Classic with an all-around score of 37.100. Tucker competes for Head Over Heels Gymnastics.
 
"I chose Towson because I love the campus and the gymnastics team," said Tucker. "It knew it was the right place for me."