2012 Rutgers Gymnastics Outlook
Dec 19 | Women's Gymnastics
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (December 19, 2011) – Coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history, Rutgers gymnastics starts a new chapter in 2012 with the elevation of Louis Levine to head coach. Levine brings 10 years of coaching experience, including having been an assistant coach for the last three seasons under former Rutgers head coach Chrystal Chollet-Norton who retired after a 25-year tenure at the end of the 2011 season. The program will look to continue making strides with one of the most talented teams in program history.
“I am extremely honored and excited for this opportunity,” said Levine upon his promotion. “I want to thank [Director of Athletics] Tim [Pernetti] and his staff for believing in me. I also want to thank former head coach Chrystal Chollet-Norton for her sincere mentorship these last three years. The sky is the limit for this program and I intend to build on the great strides we have made in recent years in taking the Scarlet Knights to the next level.”
Rutgers has the pieces in place from a team that won the most meets (20) in school history and posted a program-high score of 193.625 at the East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) Championships with 16 returning gymnasts and four newcomers composing the 2012 roster. The squad hopes to challenge for a spot at the NCAA Regionals in April while breaking more school records in the process.
“We look forward to a great season and want to continue to build upon the momentum of a record-breaking 2011,” said Levine. “We also want to show that we are a team to be reckoned with in the EAGL and earn a berth at the NCAA Regionals.”
Joining Levine on the coaching staff will be two former collegiate gymnasts with impressive credentials, Kera Bolen and Umme Salim-Beasley. The duo also looks to bring Rutgers gymnastics to the next level by bringing their past experiences to Piscataway. Bolen was a standout at Oregon State and Salim-Beasley was named EAGL Gymnast of the Year at West Virginia in 1998.
The team will also turn to its tri-captains in senior Alexandra Belvis (Hinsdale, Ill.), junior Nicole Romano (Livingston, N.J.) and junior Jenna Zito (Rockaway, N.J.) for leadership throughout the year.
“These young ladies have done an excellent job throughout the fall leading by example,” said Levine. “Whether that example is hard work every day in practice or being there to help a teammate out when they need it, we know we can count on them to do what is in the best interest of the team.”
The 2012 schedule features 11 total meets against 19 different teams in addition to the EAGL Championships at the University of Pittsburgh in March. RU will host five meets at the Livingston Recreation Center throughout the year. The February 25 meet versus Bridgeport, Air Force and Eastern Michigan will be “Alumni Day,” while the home finale against Towson and West Chester will be “Senior Day” on March 10. A school record of over 1,000 fans attended the last home meet in 2011. The team will also take trips to West Virginia, Penn, Pittsburgh, Maryland, Cornell and William & Mary during the season.
“The EAGL is always a tough conference,” said Levine. “From the start of the season – right to the end – every meet counts the same. It is all about getting the best score you can each time out.”
All-Around
The Scarlet Knights have a very deep and talented group of all-arounders this season, led by sophomore Luisa Leal (Cali, Columbia). Leal set the school record in her rookie season with a score of 39.375 on Feb. 26 versus Bridgeport and Ursinus on her way to being named First Team All-EAGL in the all-around and the EAGL Rookie of the Year. Zito also earned recognition as Second Team All-EAGL as an all-arounder with an average score of 38.260 throughout the season. Leal and Zito both qualified for the NCAA Regionals individually last season at the University of Michigan.
Junior Danielle D’Elia (Colts Neck, N.J.) and sophomore Alexis Gunzelman (Tabernacle, N.J.) are also expected to contribute in all four events in addition to newcomers Emma Hoffman (Union, N.J.) and Sara Skammer (Dallas, Pa.).
“I believe we are very deep at all-around,” said Levine. “We have lots of experience and talent and I am expecting big things.”
Vault
Competition for the six vault slots runs deep for Rutgers. The team returns five of its top seven vaulters from a season ago when the team averaged 48.419. Leal (9.800) and Straub (9.668) led the team statistically in 2011, while Levine expects Zito, Romano, D’Elia and Gunzelman to compete strongly as veterans of the event. The Scarlet Knights should also see freshmen Anastasia Halbig (Schwenksville, Pa.), Hoffman and Skammer on the event in their rookie seasons.
“We have potential to have eight 10.0 start values on the vault,” said Levine. “The depth of competition should help this team strive for new heights on this event.”
Uneven Bars
The Scarlet Knights return five of six competitors from a season ago on the uneven bars. The team averaged a score of 47.658 per meet in this event last season.
“We have a very high level of gymnastics talent returning on this event,” said Levine. “Danielle D’Elia, Luisa Leal and Alexis Gunzelman all have potential to average 9.750 or higher. Combining them with juniors Jenna Zito, Jayne Jeffreys, Emma-Rose Trentacosti and sophomore Alyssa Straub provides us with a lot of experience returning on this event. When you add in the exciting routines of freshmen Emma Hoffman, Sara Skammer and Anastasia Halbig, this event has the potential to be outstanding.”
Balance Beam
“We have really put a lot of emphasis on being consistent and showing confidence on the balance beam during fall workouts,” said Levine. “We have such amazing depth on this event that it will be the most difficult event to make a lineup for.”
All six gymnasts from last season’s EAGL lineup return to the team, but as with other events, there is plenty of competition to crack the starting lineup. Among those expected to compete for time include graduate Leigh Heinbaugh (Sicklerville, N.J.), senior Nicole Schwartz (Somerset, N.J.), juniors Jayne Jeffreys (Jackson, N.J.), Emma-Rose Trentacosti (Ridgefield, N.J.), D’Elia, Romano and Zito and sophomores Holly Murray (Harrisburg, Pa.), Alyssa Straub (Nazareth, Pa.), Gunzelman and Leal. Newcomers Kayla Mercado (Phillipsburg, N.J.), Halbig, Hoffman and Skammer are also gymnasts that could make the lineup in what should be a team strength this season.
Floor Exercise
The floor exercise, the event that allows for creativity and flair, should be very exciting this season with a plethora of talent on this event. Rutgers finished last season ranked in the top 25 and should be even better in 2012 with some upgrades to the team’s routines.
The Scarlet Knights will miss the consistency of Kiah Banfield who graduated last year, but are excited to see Halbig, Hoffman and Skammer perform as newcomers on the floor exercise. Senior Danae Johnson (Silver Spring, Md.), Gunzelman, Leal, D’Elia, Romano, Straub and Zito are expected to lead the way with experience and accomplishments from prior seasons. D’Elia qualified for the NCAA Regionals in the event last season and Johnson was a 2009 USAG All-American. Floor was the strongest event for Leal as she averaged 9.831 on the season, ranking in the top 20 in the country.
“This year’s floor lineup has the potential to excite the crowd with its extremely high level of difficulty and great showmanship,” added Levine.
Outlook
Rutgers gymnastics is extremely optimistic heading into the 2012 season with an abundance of talent and experience that has raised the expectations for the program. The squad has additionally earned numerous academic awards from various organizations for its strong performance in the classroom – something that the coaching staff emphasizes. With the raised expectations, the 2012 Rutgers gymnastics team has its goal set to reach to the NCAA Regionals as a team and to achieve new heights in each and every event.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding women’s gymnastics, follow the program on Twitter @RUGymnastics. Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
