ANCHORAGE ? The return of a familiar face should make the Alaska Anchorage gymnastics roster significantly stronger in 2009 as head coach Paul Stoklos announced Tuesday that Lauren Agostino will be back with the Seawolves. Stoklos said that Shakea Sanders, of Federal Way, Wash., has joined the active roster as well.

In two previous seasons at UAA, Agostino provided some of the top scores in program history, including career-highs of 9.85 on vault, 9.775 on floor, 9.7 on beam and 38.825 all-around. After spending last year away from the school and the sport in her hometown of Virginia Beach, Va., Agostino will return to Anchorage with two years of eligibility remaining.

“We couldn't be happier that Lauren made the decision to return and continue her collegiate career,” said Stoklos, who enters his 25th year at the UAA helm in 2009. “She will likely not compete on bars because of previous injuries, but her addition will give us another rock-solid competitor on three events.”

As a sophomore in 2007, Agostino posted the 10th-best all-around average in school history (37.945), while her vault average of 9.664 was 4th-best on that list. In her freshman season, Agostino became the highest UAA all-around finisher ever at NCAA West Regionals with her 8th-place showing.

Meanwhile, Sanders has gained eligibility after practicing last year with the Seawolves as a partial qualifier. As a club gymnast for Auburn Gymnastics Center in Washington, Sanders won the all-around, vault and floor at the 2005 Level 10 Western Nationals. She also finished 7th on floor exercise at JO Nationals.

“Shakea is an exceptional vaulter and also very skilled on beam and floor,” Stoklos said. “With coaching and experience on bars, she could eventually be a solid all-arounder.”

The Seawolves will make their season debut with the Green & Gold intrasquad scrimmage Dec. 12 at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex.