Texas East gymnast signs with Kentucky

Texas East gymnast Storey Morris is joined by family, coaches and support staff as she signs with the University of Kentucky on Nov. 14. Pictured, left to right, are (seated) dad J.P. Morris, Storey, mom Debbie Morris, (standing) gym owners Dwight and Kathy Parsley, massage therapist Debra De Wet, chiropractor Dr. Allan Preddy, coaches Martin and Stacy Parsley, granddad John Morris and Kings Academy principal Mitch Rhodes.

Storey Morris, an 18-year-old senior from Flint, signed for a full athletic scholarship to the University of Kentucky. Wednesday, Nov. 14, was the first day scholarship athletes could sign their letter of intent, and the Texas East gymnast did just that.

The signing was held at Texas East Gymnastics where coaches, staff and teammates all wore blue and white in honor of Morris' Kentucky Wildcats. Teammates asked questions about how she chose Kentucky but more importantly how in the world she could bare to leave her longtime coach Martin Parsley.

She said that God gave her peace about her decision, especially since a former coach is now at Kentucky, and that it will be difficult to leave Martin, longtime coach and friend.

The signing is bittersweet for Texas East Gymnastics, according to Parsley.

"We are always so proud of everyone's accomplishments and this is quite a big one, Storey deserves it; but we certainly are going to miss having her in the gym being such an excellent role model," he said. "We know she will make many wonderful attributes to the Kentucky gymnastics team and look forward to keeping up with her in the months to come."