Photo by: Tommy Quarles
Candia Named WCGA Region 3 Co-Head Coach of the Year
Apr 08 | Women's Gymnastics
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – After leading Rutgers gymnastics to a historic 2026 season, head coach Anastasia Candia has been named the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) Region 3 Co-Head Coach of the Year. Additionally, gymnastics sport administrator Monique Brown was named Region 3 Co-Administrator of the Year.
In her first full season as head coach, Candia led the Scarlet Knights to the best season in program history, culminating in a second straight appearance in NCAA Regionals along with the program's two highest scores ever at NCAAs. Based on the program's final National Qualifying Score (NQS) combined with their round two score at regionals, Rutgers projects to finish No. 26 in the country, its best-ever finish.
The team accomplishments for Rutgers include beating No. 16 Kentucky at its home gym in Round 2 of the NCAA Lexington Regional, an eighth-place finish at Big Ten Championships, tied for the second-best in program history, a ranked win over No. 24 Maryland and a program record on floor (49.475) at the Rutgers March Quad. Individually, Gabrielle Dildy was named to the All-Big Ten First Team, Emily Leese was named to the All-Big Ten Second team and set a program record on vault (9.95), while both also qualified as individuals for NCAA Regionals. In total, five different Scarlet Knights earned a 9.9 during the season, including five unique scores of 9.925 or above: Dildy (Bars, Floor), Elliot Goldsmith (Floor) and Leese (Vault, Floor).
In her first season serving as the sport administrator for gymnastics, Brown received the honor of Co-Administrator of the Year as selected by regional head coaches. The honor is given to athletics administrators who have made a significant impact on their gymnastics programs and institutions and who exemplify the spirit of support and excellence in collegiate athletics.
In her first full season as head coach, Candia led the Scarlet Knights to the best season in program history, culminating in a second straight appearance in NCAA Regionals along with the program's two highest scores ever at NCAAs. Based on the program's final National Qualifying Score (NQS) combined with their round two score at regionals, Rutgers projects to finish No. 26 in the country, its best-ever finish.
The team accomplishments for Rutgers include beating No. 16 Kentucky at its home gym in Round 2 of the NCAA Lexington Regional, an eighth-place finish at Big Ten Championships, tied for the second-best in program history, a ranked win over No. 24 Maryland and a program record on floor (49.475) at the Rutgers March Quad. Individually, Gabrielle Dildy was named to the All-Big Ten First Team, Emily Leese was named to the All-Big Ten Second team and set a program record on vault (9.95), while both also qualified as individuals for NCAA Regionals. In total, five different Scarlet Knights earned a 9.9 during the season, including five unique scores of 9.925 or above: Dildy (Bars, Floor), Elliot Goldsmith (Floor) and Leese (Vault, Floor).
In her first season serving as the sport administrator for gymnastics, Brown received the honor of Co-Administrator of the Year as selected by regional head coaches. The honor is given to athletics administrators who have made a significant impact on their gymnastics programs and institutions and who exemplify the spirit of support and excellence in collegiate athletics.
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Players Mentioned
/ Women's Gymnastics
/ Women's Gymnastics
/ Women's Gymnastics
Emily Leese - 9.95 Floor | Big Ten Championships 3/20/2026
Saturday, March 21
Gabrielle Dildy - 9.95 Floor | 3/13/2026
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Emily Leese - 9.9 Floor | 3/13/2026
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