ANCHORAGE – The Alaska Anchorage gymnastics team has added a trio of incoming freshmen for the 2021 season as head coach Tanya Ho announced Wednesday that Montana Fairbairn, Jessica Johnson and Emily Walker have signed National Letters of Intent to compete for the Seawolves.

From Strathmore, Alberta, Fairbairn last year became the first gymnast from her province in 12 years to win gold at the Canada Winter Games, capturing top honors on floor exercise. Competing with the Kin Gymnastics club team, she also finished fourth in the all-around at the same meet in 2019.

"Montana excels on vault and will come in with our team's highest difficult on beam," said Ho, who recently completed her third season at the helm. "She is a performer in the truest sense, and I think she'll be a fan favorite on floor."

From Chesapeake, Va., Johnson earned podium finishes on uneven bars in all three of her 2020 competitions, including gold on uneven bars at the Shamrock Invitational. The Ocean Tumblers club team product was a 2019 JO Nationals qualifier and two-time Level 10 JO Regionals competitor.

"Jessica has big skills and beautiful lines," Ho said. "She is a strong bar swinger and will also increase our team's difficulty on vault."
 
Walker, from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, competed at the 2020 Elite Canada meet and finished 12th in the all-around at the 2019 Canadian Championships. She trains with Marian Gymnastics Club.

"Emily is a strong all-arounder with experience competing internationally," Ho said. "She has many skills in her repertoire, and it will be fun choreographing her routines to best showcase her strengths."