COLUMBUS, Ohio – Samara Buchanan, Courtney McCann and Maisyn Rader have signed National Letters of Intent and will continue their athletic and academic careers as members of the Ohio State women’s gymnastics team, head coach Meredith Paulicivic announced Wednesday.
Samara Buchanan joins the Buckeyes as the 2022 Florida state champion on beam, vault, uneven bars and in the all-around. She is a four-time JO National Qualifier, finishing seventh on bars in 2019 and eighth on vault in 2021, as an 11-year member of American Twister gymnastics. Buchanan hails from Parkland, Fla. and intends to major in biomedical engineering.
“Samara will make an immediate impact on our bars and beam lineups,” Paulicivic said. “She has an incredible work ethic and a ‘do what it takes’ mentality. She will come in and be able to lead her fellow freshmen and continue to build on the culture that will take us to the next level.”
“I chose Ohio State because of its endless opportunities,” Buchanan said. “From athletics to the academics, Ohio State is a university that excels in all aspects. I love the positive atmosphere and hardworking culture the coaches have established for their team, as well as the numerous resources and high-end technology the university offers to its students as a tool to achieve excellence.”
Courtney McCann, from Frisco, Texas, is an all-arounder who is a two-time national qualifier and three-time regional and state qualifier. Competing for WOGA Gymnastics, McCann garnered all-around titles at three invitational qualifiers. She earned state vault and beam titles in 2022 and regional silver in the all-around. At the 2022 JO Nationals, she placed fourth on floor and sixth on beam. McCann intends to major in pre-med.
“Courtney is a little firecracker,” Paulicivic said. “She is a strong all-arounder and I believe will challenge for a lineup spot in every event. She was born into a Buckeye family and we are so excited that she’s going to continue her gymnastics journey here with us.”
“I chose Ohio State because of the coaching staff and the way I connected with the team,” McCann said. “The second I stepped on campus, it felt like home, especially with having family in Columbus. The academics offer me a tremendous amount of opportunities during and after my career as an athlete.”
Maisyn Rader is a 2022 state champion on uneven bars, floor and all-around. She also earned the State Level 10 Team Championship and the regional bars title in 2022. Most recently competing with the Connecticut Gymnastics Academy, she is also the 2021 Eastern National Floor Champion. The Wolcott, Conn. native intends to major in business.
“Maisyn has a wealth of untapped potential,” Paulicivic said. “While she will make an immediate impact on our bar lineup, I don’t count her out of other lineup spots as well. She is rapidly improving on vault and floor, especially, and we are excited to see her grow and develop as a Buckeye.”
“I chose Ohio State because from the first time I stepped on campus, I knew this is where I wanted to go to college,” Rader said. “Being a part of such and amazing team and school has always been my dream and Ohio State is the perfect opportunity for this.”
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