Gymnastics Welcomes Six Freshmen
Sep 02 | Women's Gymnastics
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - With classes underway, Rutgers gymnastics officially welcomed six freshmen to campus for the fall semester. The six newcomers are Riahanah Ali (Ann Arbor, Mich.), Michelle Amoresano (Whippany, N.J.), Kira Herzog (Mill Valley, Calif.), Anne Marie Neggia (Kinnelon, N.J.), Eriel Santagado (Celebration, Fla.) and Angela Saunders (Newburgh, N.Y.).
"I am excited to welcome the six members of this class to "The Banks," head coach Louis Levine said. "This class will add a tremendous amount of depth to our program on every event. This group will be a major part of our success in the future. I can't wait to get in the gym and continue to prepare for the 2016 season."
Riahanah "Ray" Ali
Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron High School
Notes: A state, regional and national qualifier in 2015 … expected to compete all-around at Rutgers … Top-25 performer in the all-around at 2014 Junior Olympic Nationals … also posted a top-10 mark on vault and a sixth-place finish all-around at 2013 Junior Olympic Nationals … placed second in all-around at the Michigan State Championships in 2014 … finished first on vault and second all-around at the Luau in Leos meet … member of the Oakland Gymnastics Training Center … daughter of Jamil and Dyan Ali … mother ran track at Michigan … has a younger sister, Amira, who is also a gymnast.
Michelle Amoresano
Whippany, N.J./Whippany Park High School
Notes: A four-time Junior Olympics Nationals qualifier (2012-15) ... projected as an all-arounder at Rutgers … 2014 New Jersey uneven bars champion and placed second in the state all-around competition in 2012 and 2013 … finished second all-around at 2014 Region 7 Regional Championships and third at 2015 Level 10 states … a top-20 finisher on vault, uneven bars and floor exercise at Nationals … finished third on vault at the Parkette Invitational … also placed second all-around and on balance beam in 2013 at the New Jersey State Championships … member of the North Stars Gymnastics Academy, same as former Scarlet Knights Nicole Romano and Jenna Zito … daughter of Bruno Amoresano and Millie Ianiro … has an older sister, Nicole … intends to major in journalism and media studies.
Kira Herzog
Mill Valley, Calif./Tamalpais High School
Notes: Member of North Bay Athletic Association at the club level from 2012-15 … expected to compete on uneven bars and balance beam at Rutgers … a Level 9 and 10 regional qualifier … finished seventh on beam at Level 10 Region 1 Championships … also with Cal Star Gymnastics from 2006-12 … graduated high school with high honors … daughter of Tori and Craig Herzog … has an older sister, Shoshana … intends to major in computer engineering.
Anne Marie Neggia
Kinnelon, N.J./Kinnelon High School
Notes: Competed at Level 10 and a 2015 NIT qualifier … won Level 9 uneven bars, balance beam and all-around regional titles in 2012 … also a 2013 Level 10 Junior Olympic National qualifier … projected as an all-arounder at Rutgers … competed for the North Stars Gymnastics Academy, same as former Scarlet Knights Nicole Romano and Jenna Zito … member of National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Art Honor Society in high school … daughter of Joseph and Anne Neggia … brother, Joe, plays lacrosse at DeSales University and received the Freedom Conference Rookie of the Year Award and honorable mention all-conference in 2015 … intends to major in business at RU.
Eriel Santagado
Celebration, Fla./Florida Virtual School
Notes: A three-time Level 10 regional qualifier … member of Orlando Metro club team … expected to compete on balance beam and floor exercise at Rutgers … National Dance finalist for 10 consecutive years … earned a Piano Federation Superior Ranking for six-straight years … National AP Scholar of Distinction … Celebration Foundation Scholarship recipient … daughter of Tobi and Robert Santagado … joins sister on the team, Charly - a junior for the Scarlet Knights … maternal grandfather played football for the New York Titans.
Angela Saunders
Newburgh, N.Y./Newburgh Free Academy
Notes: Member of Kennett Gymnastics from 2006-15 … competed at states on Levels 8, 9 and 10 … expected to compete on uneven bars at Rutgers … previously at Sports Fitness & Fun (2003-05) and Gym Kids (2002-03) … made state finals as a diver in seventh grade at Newburgh Free Academy … graduated in top 10 percent of class … daughter of Brian and Eunice Saunders … has an older brother, Derrick, and sister, Bryanna Nicole … intends to major in biology at RU.
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