Rutgers Gymnastics Holds Annual Awards Banquet
May 05 | Women's Gymnastics
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Rutgers gymnastics program held its annual awards to recognize the 2009 season Sunday afternoon.
The Scarlet Knights honored their four-member senior class of Kristy Behr (Northport, N.Y.), Jessica Haddaway (Baltimore, Md.), Alison Hartwig (Union, N.J.) and Latara Northcutt (Snellville, Ga.) during the event.
Freshman Nicole Schwartz (Somerset, N.J.) was named the Most Valuable Gymnast for the 2008-09 campaign. After injuries to RU’s veteran all-around competitors, Schwartz took over the role, competing in every event at the final eight meets of the season. The freshman posted a career-best 38.025 against Alaska-Anchorage and Bridgeport on Feb. 28. Schwartz was honored as a Second Team All-East Atlantic Gymnastics League competitor in the floor exercise where she averaged nearly a 9.400. Schwartz was invited to compete in the USA Gymnastics Championships in New Haven, Conn. at the end of the year.
The Noble Award, which goes to the gymnast who displays outstanding athletic ability, consistency, sportsmanship and dedication to the team, went to Haddaway. The senior competed on the bars and the balance beam in nearly every event this season. She registered a season-best 9.675 on the beam in the tri-meet against Alaska-Anchorage and Bridgeport to help RU finish first in the event.
Sophomore Kiah Banfield (Newbury Park, Calif.) was named the Most Improved Gymnast, recognizing the underclassman who demonstrates commitment to the sport, willingness to learn and improve skills and consistency. Banfield competed in the vault and floor exercise in every meet last season. Her top performance of 9.775 came in the floor exercise on Feb. 28 against Alaska-Anchorage and Bridgeport to place third in the event. Banfield averaged a 9.498 in the vault and a 9.496 in the floor exercise last season. She was invited to compete in the USA Gymnastics Championships in New Haven, Conn. at the end of the year.
The Scarlet Knights saw contributions from many of its underclassmen in 2009 and will look to build on that experience in 2010.
