The Iowa women’s gymnastics team is prepping for its first meet of the 2010 season on Jan. 9 at Michigan.

But Iowa head coach Larissa Libby is busy getting her squad ready for 2011 as well.

Libby announced on Tuesday she received her first 2010 commitment. Nicole Pineau of Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada, signed a national letter of intent to attend Iowa next fall.

Pineau has consistently ranked among the top 12 gymnasts in Canada, placing ninth overall at the 2009 nationals and second in the B.C. Championships. She also represented Team B.C. in the 2007 Winter Games.

During the 2008 nationals, Pineau earned silver on floor exercise, fifth on vault, sixth in the all-around, and eighth on beam in the open division.

“Nicole is intelligent, disciplined, respectful and a phenomenal athlete who strives to be the best in everything she does,” Libby said in a statement. “She will be a great addition to our team as an all-arounder, and the depth that she can provide our team will be crucial to our success.”

— by Robbie Lehman