Sammamish High School senior and 2010 and 2011 Junior Olympic Championship qualifier Haley Lange has signed a letter of intent to accept a full athletic scholarship to the University of Utah to compete in gymnastics.

“We found a real diamond in the rough in Haley,” Utah gym coach Greg Marsden said in a press release.

Lange said the atmosphere at the school, her love of Salt Lake City and the business program at Utah all factored into her decision.

“I love Salt Lake, I love the city and the college,” Lange said. “The gymnastics team is amazing and I wanted to be part of that team.”

Lange said her choices also included Oregon State, California-Berkeley and Washington, though her top selection was always Utah.

Lange, who has trained in gymnastics since age five, does not participate for the Sammamish High School team but trains at Auburn Gymnastics Center with coaches Brent Phelps and Peter Flores. Her parents are Mara Ferrari and Ron Lange.

Utah has won 10 national championships in gymnastics and is the only program that has made the Super Six every year since 2000.

To submit information about a scholarship acceptance or letter of intent signing, contact Josh Suman at jsuman@bellevuereporter.com