Rutgers Gymnastics Vaults into 2012 Season
Jan 04 | Women's Gymnastics
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (January 4, 2012) - Rutgers University gymnastics, under the leadership of first-year head coach Louis Levine, begins its 38th season of competition on Saturday afternoon against New Hampshire at the Livingston Recreation Center, starting at 1 p.m. The meet marks the 12th-straight season that the Scarlet Knights will take on the Wildcats to open the schedule.
"I think competing against New Hampshire to start the season is a good tradition and it lets us know where we stand right off the bat," said Levine. "They are a really competitive team and one of the top squads in the EAGL. The meet will be a good measuring stick for us right away."
Rutgers has the pieces in place from a team that won the most meets (20) in school history in 2011 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 deep and talented squad is led by sophomore Luisa Leal (Cali, Columbia), who was named EAGL Rookie of the Year and First Team All-EAGL in the all-around last season. The team also returns NCAA qualifiers in juniors Danielle D'Elia (Colts Neck, N.J.) and Jenna Zito (Rockaway, N.J.).
UNH, led by 33rd-year head coach Gail Goodspeed, has won the last five meets in the series, including a 194.500-191.875 win over RU on Jan. 9, 2011 inside Lundholm Gymnasium in Durham, N.H. The Wildcats advanced to the NCAA Division I Women's Gymnastics Regional Championship at the University of Oklahoma last season, finishing in fifth place. The team also placed in second at the 2011 EAGL Championships in Washington, D.C.
Rutgers is 3-10 all-time versus New Hampshire. The Scarlet Knights last defeated the Wildcats on Jan. 12, 2007 in a tri-meet at the University of Rhode Island.
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.
