Rutgers Gymnastics Opens Season At New Hampshire Sunday
Jan 07 | Women's Gymnastics
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Jan. 7, 2011) – The Rutgers women’s gymnastics team will open the 2011 season this Sunday as the Scarlet Knights travel to Durham, N.H. to face the University of New Hampshire at 1 p.m. inside Lundholm Gymnasium.
Head coach Chrsytal Chollet-Norton begins her 25th and final season at the helm of the gymnastics program Sunday as the veteran mentor announced her intentions to retire at the conclusion of the season. Led by eight seniors and 20 returning letterwinners, the experienced squad is poised for a strong season. RU made several strides in a 2010 season that included a fourth-place finish at the United States Collegiate Nationals where five gymnasts earned All-America honors. Three of those Scarlet Knight All-Americans return in 2011 in seniors Erica Gerlach (Papillion, Neb.) and Leigh Heinbaugh (Sicklerville, N.J.) and sophomore Nicole Romano (Livingston, N.J.).
As a team, the Scarlet Knights averaged a 189.528 in their meets, including a season-best score of 192.675 – its highest score since 2005 – during the season.
Rutgers looks to build on its postseason success from a year ago and reach new heights in 2011. The program has elevated its goals this winter to compete in the NCAA Championships.
In addition to Gerlach, Heinbaugh and Romano, the Scarlet Knights also return last year’s team Most Valuable Gymnast in sophomore Jenna Zito (Rockaway, N.J.). The all-around competitor averaged a score of 37.743 in her first year of collegiate competition last season. Senior vault and floor exercise specialist Kiah Banfield (Newbury Park, Calif.), junior all-arounder Nicole Schwartz (Somerset, N.J.), sophomore bars and balance beam specialist Emma-Rose Trentacosti (Ridgefield Park, N.J.) and sophomore bars specialist Jayne Jeffreys (Jackson, N.J.) also return as regulars in the lineup that are expected to contribute to RU’s success this winter.
The Scarlet Knights were picked to finish eighth while the Wildcats were picked to finish fourth in the preseason EAGL poll as selected by the coaches.
New Hampshire posted a 16-6 record in 2010 and placed fourth in the East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) and the NCAA Regional Championships last season. Seniors Katie Lawrence, Chelsea Steinberg and Katie Caliendo lead the Wildcats. Steinberg is UNH’s all-around competitor where she recorded a score above 39.000 three times last season.
Rutgers dropped a 189.725-188.925 decision at home to New Hampshire in last year’s season opener. The two schools will open their respective seasons against each other for the 11th straight year. RU is 3-9 all-time against UNH.
