Gymnastics Announces Roster Additions
Sep 23 | Women's Gymnastics
Sept. 24, 2014
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Head coach Louis Levine and the Rutgers gymnastics program have announced the addition of six freshmen gymnasts to the 2014-15 roster. In addition to the previously introduced Elizabeth Groden (Abbottstown, Pa.) and Makenzey Shank (Phoenix, Ariz.), the Scarlet Knights welcome Jenna Crisalli (Freehold, N.J.), Sahara Gipson (Oakland, N.J.), Ayana Lee (Bridgewater, N.J.) and Elizabeth Nand (Hampton, N.J.) to the program this fall.
"We are really excited about the talent that this large six-person class brings to our team," Levine said. "With our returning team members and this influx of talent, we expect to continue to build on our success from the 2014 season."
Freehold, N.J./Freehold Boro
Notes: Member of MG Elite Club … four-year All-Shore and All-State gymnast at Freehold Boro … placed first on beam at the Fantasia Classic for MG Elite … finished third at the 2014 Star Struck Invitational all-around … 2011 Level 10 Regional Qualifier … 2011 Level 10 state beam bronze medalist … 2010 Eastern National Qualifier … daughter of Mary and Joe Crisalli … intends to major in criminal justice … born 5/24/96.
Levine on Crisalli: "Jenna has beautiful lines and has a chance to make an impact on our balance beam and floor exercise lineups, while making a push on the other two events as well."
Oakland, N.J./Ramapo
Notes: Member of Galaxy Gymnastics Club … four-year varsity competitor at Ramapo … captained team her senior season … NJSIAA Bergen Record Gymnast of the Year (2012-13) … competed on 2012 state championship team at Ramapo … All-Sectional, All-Bergen County and All-State selection … 2013 Level 10 vault champion … 2012 Level 9 vault champion … daughter of Diane and Kenneth Gipson … father played football at Howard … intends to major in communications … born 5/6/97.
Levine on Gipson: "Sahara is a former New Jersey state vault champion who has the ability to step right into one of the openings in our lineup vacated by the graduation of our seniors. She is also capable of battling for a spot in the lineup on the other three events."
Abbottstown, Pa./New Oxford
Notes: Member of the Hanover Gymnastics Club for nine years ... competed at the Level 9 Eastern Junior Olympic Nationals ... a Level 10 Regional Qualifier … totaled three regional appearances … earned the Youth Leader of the Year Award by the Hanover YMCA ... member of the National Honor Society at New Oxford ... elected as President of the National Art Honor Society ... served as historian for her class in student government ... received distinguished Honor Roll all four years … earned "Best of Show" art honor … intends to study at the Mason Gross School of Art, majoring in visual arts … has one younger sister, Rachel … daughter of Michael and Beth Groden … cousin, Matt Pitzulo plays baseball at Bowling Green … born 11/23/95.
Levine on Groden: "Libby is a great gymnast with a large array of skills in her repertoire on all four events, which will allow her to challenge for a spot in the all-around as a freshman."
Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater Raritan
Notes: Member of Indigo Gymnastics Club … 2013 Level 10 first alternate National Qualifier, placing third on floor and fourth on vault at regionals … qualified for regionals at Level 9 in 2012 … four-year varsity competitor at Bridgewater Raritan … two-time NJSIAA floor champion (2012 & 2013) … second-team All-State performer … 2012 Star-Ledger Central Jersey Group II Gymnast of the Year … Skyland Conference all-around title in 2012 … represented Jamaica at World Championships in 2013 in Antwerp, Belgium … National Honors Society member … made Honor Roll three years … daughter of Judith and Desmond Lee … has an older sister, Simone … born 8/22/96.
Levine on Lee: "Ayana is a powerful athlete, who should excel on the floor exercise and vault, while providing a push to the members of our balance beam lineup."
Hampton, N.J./Bridgeway Academy
Notes: Member of the Parkettes Gymnastics Club for five years … a Level 10 State, Regional and National Qualifier … recipient of Parkettes Leadership and Kristen Maloney Spirit awards … 2011 Region 7 All-Star team member, finishing 13th nationally all-around … 2011 Regional Qualifier, finishing first in both beam and floor exercises and second all-around … 2011 Level 10 State Qualifier, finishing first in both beam and floor exercises and third in all-around … mother is Julia Nand, who was a nationally ranked British swimmer … has an older sister, Emily, and a younger brother, Chris … born 9/16/96.
Levine on Nand: "Lizzy had very accomplished career in the Junior Olympic national program. While she is coming off of an injury, I expect her to contribute to our uneven bars and balance beam lineup, with the expectation that she could be an all-arounder when she is back at full strength."
Phoenix, Ariz./Saguaro
Notes: Member of the Desert Devils Gymnastics Club ... competed as a member of the Arizona Level 10 State Championship team all seven years with the Devils … qualified for nationals in 2014 ... former state champion on the balance beam and the floor ... two-time regional silver medalist on the balance beam ... an honors student at Saguaro High School, boasting a 4.0 GPA … finished in top 10 percent of her senior class … participated as a member of a rock climbing team … has played classical guitar for the last nine years … intends to major in marine biology … has an older brother, Andrew, who is a pilot … daughter of Albert and Tracy Shank … born 8/27/96.
Levine on Shank: "Micki is an aesthetically pleasing gymnast who has really raised the level of her skill difficulty over the last year. She will challenge for a spot on all four events."
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding women's gymnastics, follow the program on Twitter @RUGymnastics.
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