Rutgers Signs Three Gymnasts
Nov 27 | Women's Gymnastics
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Nov. 27, 2012) - The Rutgers gymnastics program added three members to the 2013-14 roster, head coach Louis Levine announced Tuesday. The Scarlet Knights welcome April Baker (Andover, Mass.), Claire Jones (Gaffney, S.C.) and Charly Santagado (Celebration, Fla.) to campus next fall.
"We are really excited to be able to sign three outstanding gymnasts," said Levine. "These young ladies bring a lot of experience on the national level and will help continue to build on the foundation that we already have on the team."
April Baker
Andover, Mass. (Andover High School)
Notes: Member of Brestyan's American Gymnastics Club … earned first place finishes on the vault with a personal-best 9.750 and bars at the 2012 Region 6 Level 10 Championships … placed first on the vault at the Massachusetts Level 10 State Championships and took fourth in the all-around … grabbed first on bars and second in the all-around with a personal-best score of 37.825 at the 2011 state championships … finished tied for second on the vault and tied for 11th in the all-around competition at the Junior Olympic National Championships in 2011.
Levine on Baker: "April is a powerful well-rounded gymnast who is very consistent on all four events. She will challenge to be an all-arounder as a freshman."
Claire Jones
Gaffney, S.C. (Gaffney High School)
Notes: Member of Precision Gymnastics Club … finished first on bars, beam, floor and in the all-around at the 2012 Hilton Head Invitational … took first on the beam and the all-around as a Level 10 gymnast in the 2012 Charleston Cup … placed third on the floor and sixth in the all-around at the 2012 Region 8 Level 10 Championships … finished 23rd at the 2012 Junior Olympic National Championships … won on the floor at the 2011 Tiger Paw Classic and competed at the 2011 Region 8 Level 10 Championships.
Levine on Jones: "Claire is extremely fast off of her feet. She has big and unique skills on vault, beam and floor exercise that help her to stand out when she is competing."
Charly Santagado
Celebration, Fla. (Florida Virtual School)
Notes: Member of Orlando Metro Gymnastics Club … placed 10th at the 2012 Junior Olympic National Championships … tied for first on the bars, finished second on the beam and the floor, while tying for second place in the all-around with a personal best 38.175 at the 2012 Region 8 Championships … won the vault and bars at the 2012 City of Lights meet … took first on the bars at the Magical Classic Invitational in 2012 … finished first on the floor at the 2011 Region 8 Championships … tied for first on the floor, won on the bars and placed second in the all-around at the 2011 Florida Level 10 State Meet.
Levine on Santagado: "Charly is a very elegant gymnast with beautiful lines and great artistry. She will come in with a chance to help the team as an all-arounder as a freshman."
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