
Photo by: Mel Evans
Nine Gymnasts Claim NACGC/W Scholastic All-America Honors
Jul 31 | Women's Gymnastics
Groden earns fourth selection
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Nine members of the Rutgers gymnastics program earned a spot on the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches for Women Scholastic All-America team. To be recognized for this honor, student-athletes must carry a grade-point average of 3.50 or better.
"I am so pleased to see that our team has a high standard for academics," head coach Umme Salim-Beasley said. "We will continue to stress the importance of being high academic achievers. We are confident that in the future we will be able to climb the academic rankings and increase our team's GPA to new heights."
Senior Libby Groden, a four-time NCAA Regional qualifier, picked up the honor for the fourth consecutive year. She becomes the first Scarlet Knight since Emma-Rose Trentacosti to garner four Scholastic All-America accolades. Juniors Eriel Santagado, who recorded a perfect 4.0 GPA and is now a three-time selection, and Riahanah Ali joined Groden as Big Ten Distinguished Scholars following the year to add to their academic distinctions.
Senior Makenzey Shank is also a multiple-time honoree to the list, while sophomores Polina Poliakova and Erin McLachlan plus freshmen Sophia Atienza, Belle Huang and Hannah Prieto each tallied their first Scholastic All-America award.
This continues the academic success within the program, as Rutgers gymnastics previously received public APR recognition for the fifth time and earned a perfect score in the Graduation Success Rate (GSR) report for the 13th consecutive year.
NACGC/W Scholastic All-Americans – Rutgers
Riahanah Ali, Psychology^
Sophia Atienza, Undeclared^
Libby Groden, Visual Arts^^^^
Belle Huang, Undeclared^
Erin McLachlan, Journalism & Media Studies^
Polina Poliakova, Psychology^
Hannah Prieto, Undeclared^
Eriel Santagado, Evolutionary Anthropology*^^^
Makenzey Shank, Journalism & Media Studies^^
* - 4.0 GPA
^ - number of Scholastic All-America selections
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), Facebook (/RUGymnastics), Instagram (@rutgersgymnastics) and Snapchat (rutgersgym). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
"I am so pleased to see that our team has a high standard for academics," head coach Umme Salim-Beasley said. "We will continue to stress the importance of being high academic achievers. We are confident that in the future we will be able to climb the academic rankings and increase our team's GPA to new heights."
Senior Libby Groden, a four-time NCAA Regional qualifier, picked up the honor for the fourth consecutive year. She becomes the first Scarlet Knight since Emma-Rose Trentacosti to garner four Scholastic All-America accolades. Juniors Eriel Santagado, who recorded a perfect 4.0 GPA and is now a three-time selection, and Riahanah Ali joined Groden as Big Ten Distinguished Scholars following the year to add to their academic distinctions.
Senior Makenzey Shank is also a multiple-time honoree to the list, while sophomores Polina Poliakova and Erin McLachlan plus freshmen Sophia Atienza, Belle Huang and Hannah Prieto each tallied their first Scholastic All-America award.
This continues the academic success within the program, as Rutgers gymnastics previously received public APR recognition for the fifth time and earned a perfect score in the Graduation Success Rate (GSR) report for the 13th consecutive year.
NACGC/W Scholastic All-Americans – Rutgers
Riahanah Ali, Psychology^
Sophia Atienza, Undeclared^
Libby Groden, Visual Arts^^^^
Belle Huang, Undeclared^
Erin McLachlan, Journalism & Media Studies^
Polina Poliakova, Psychology^
Hannah Prieto, Undeclared^
Eriel Santagado, Evolutionary Anthropology*^^^
Makenzey Shank, Journalism & Media Studies^^
* - 4.0 GPA
^ - number of Scholastic All-America selections
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), Facebook (/RUGymnastics), Instagram (@rutgersgymnastics) and Snapchat (rutgersgym). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
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