Rutgers Signs Three Gymnasts
Jan 11 | Women's Gymnastics
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Jan. 11, 2011) – Rutgers head women’s gymnastics coach Chrystal Chollet-Norton announced the signing of three gymnasts to a National Letter of Intent on Tuesday.
Standout scholastic gymnasts Anastasia Halbig (Schwenksville, Pa.), Emma Hoffman (Scotch Plains, N.J.) and Sara Skammer (Dallas, Pa.) will enroll at Rutgers in the fall and compete for the Scarlet Knights.
“I would like to welcome Anastasia, Emma and Sara to the program,” said Chollet-Norton. “We are excited to bring in three very talented student-athletes as we continue to elevate our program to the next level.”
Halbig competes at Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School in Pennsylvania and is also a member of Club Berks Gymnastics. She is a Junior Olympic qualifier where the Schwenksville, Pa., native placed third in the all-around at the Junior Olympic National Invitational Tournament last season. Halbig is a three-year Level 10 Regional Qualifier. Last season she captured second place in the all-around and on the balance beam, third place on the bars and fifth place on the vault and in the floor exercise at the state championships last season. A regional qualifier, Halbig placed fifth on the bars, seventh in the floor exercise and 10th on the vault and in the all-around at the Region 7 Championships.
“I am excited to continue my passion for gymnastics in college as a Scarlet Knight,” Halbig said. “Rutgers has so much to offer academically, and as a student-athlete, I know it will be an amazing experience.”
Hoffman, a product of Abeka Academy, competes for Rebound Gymnastics on the club level. The Scotch Plains, N.J., native is a three-time TOP’S National B team member. She was a member of the 2009 Region 7 Junior Olympic National Team and won the title in the all-around, on the vault and in the floor exercise at the 2010 Junior Olympic National Invitational Tournament. A level 10 regional qualifier, Hoffman won the all-around championship and the state title in the all-around and floor exercise and on the vault in 2009.
"I'm so excited to join the Rutgers program,” said Hoffman. “I've always dreamed of becoming a Scarlet Knight gymnast. I'm proud to be a part of the only Division I collegiate gymnastics team in New Jersey. To me, that is something special. I can't wait to help the team achieve their goals."
Skammer attends Dallas High School in Dallas, Pa. and competes for USA Gymnastics in Dunmore, Pa. where she is the team captain. She is a three-year level 10 state and regional qualifier and a 2008 level 10 national qualifier. Skammer captured the all-around championship at the 2009 Parkettes Invitational. She captured third place on the balance beam at the 2009 level 10 state championships. Skammer took third place on the bars at the 2008 regional championships.
“Becoming a Scarlet Knight is a culmination of a dream, but it also comes with a responsibility to live up to the great tradition, desire, and hard work that being a Rutgers gymnast requires,” Skammer said. “I am looking forward to that challenge.”
The three signees will replace a talented eight-member senior class that will graduate at the conclusion of the 2011 season. The Scarlet Knights will continue the 2011 campaign this Sunday at the George Washington Invitational in Washington, D.C.
