PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Head coach Umme Salim-Beasley announced six additions to the Rutgers gymnastics recruiting class. From all over the country, the group will join Jenna Ferguson and Hannah Joyner this fall on campus.
 
"Our incoming class of 2019 is excited and eager to make their mark on Rutgers gymnastics," head coach Umme Salim-Beasley said. "This class brings with them a variety of strengths. Each gymnast has the ability to secure lineup spots. With their addition, we will increase our difficulty and create more depth on every event. We can't wait to see what they accomplish this season."
 
Kaitlyn Bertola
Southington, Conn./Southington High School
 
Notes: Competed for Daggett Gymnastics … a 2019 and 2016 JO National qualifier … placed second on uneven bars and fourth all-around at 2019 Region 6 Regionals … the 2015 level 10 Connecticut state champion … qualified for 2015 Eastern National at level 9 … daughter of Dorothy and John Bertola … has two brothers, Jake and Nicholas … intends to major in exercise science.


Jordyn Duffield
Laguna Hills, Calif./Pacific Coast High School
 
Notes: Competed for Wildfire Gymnastics for six years … the 2019 level 10 California all-around and floor exercise state champion … earned bronze on vault at 2019 and 2018 level 10 regionals … posted a top-100 score on vault at level 10 with a 9.850 … took silver on both vault and floor exercise at 2018 level 10 state championships … qualified for level 10 regionals and nationals in 2017, winning silver on vault and bronze on balance beam at regionals … also claimed bronze on vault at 2017 level 10 state competition … won vault, took second all-around and on beam and earned bronze on floor at 2016 Western Championships … a member of the 2013 USA Gymnastics Trampoline and Tumbling World Age Group Team, the Junior National Team and the Olympic Development Program National Team … awarded silver medal for tumbling and bronze for double mini trampoline at the 2013 World Age Group Trampoline and Tumbling Championships … took part in the 2011 USA Gymnastics JumpStart National Team … competed in figure skating at an early age with first competition at 17 months old … love for gymnastics started at age five … began trampoline and tumbling at the elite level at age 11 … daughter of Luisa and Donald Duffield … mother is professional figure skater … intends to major in criminology.


Lizzy Henshall
Raleigh, N.C./Leesville Road High School
 
Notes: Competed for Superior Gymnastics for six years … a level 10 state and regional qualifier … placed fourth on balance beam at level 9 Easterns … a four-year letterwinner for Leesville Road High School … a two-time Conference Gymnast of the Year winner … claimed the conference all-around title twice … scored a perfect 10 on balance beam at the state meet … an honor roll student every semester … a member of the National Honor Society and the National Art Honor Society … earned the Pride Athletic Club Special Achievement Award for being on the honor roll during the competitive season … part of Pride Players, a service club for athletes … daughter of Ginger and Dave Henshall … father is a national karate champion and the national team coach … has a younger brother, Nathan, who is a varsity wrestler … intends to major in communications.


Alexis Rogers
Manalapan, N.J./Freehold Township High School
 
Notes: Competed for Action Gymnastics … been at level 10 since freshman year … a four-time New Jersey state qualifier, a four-time regional qualifier and a two-time Eastern national qualifier … also a three-time TOPs national qualifier … took eighth place on vault at regionals in 2018 … placed third all-around in 2019 … previously a levels 4, 5, 7 and 8 state champion in New Jersey … a four-year participant in high school gymnastics at Freehold Township … named First Team All-Shore and All-State in 2017 and 2018 … helped team to first state title in 2017-18 … served as a captain … Athlete of the Month twice … a member of the honor roll all four years of high school … part of the National Honor Society, the Latin Honor Society and Peer leader organizations … daughter of Michele and John Rogers … has two younger sisters, Julia and Emily … intends to major in business.


Julia Volpe
Pearland, Texas/Pearland High School
 
Notes: Competed at Pearland Elite Training Center for eight years … a high honor roll student with all As for four years … a member of the National Honor Society and the National Science Honor Society … daughter of Karen and Bob Volpe … has four sisters: Amelia, Sophia, Tessa and Eva … intends to major in nursing.


Jordyn Zieden-Weber
Marlboro, N.J./Marlboro High School
 
Notes: Competed for Arena Gymnastics for 10 years … a level 10 gymnastics … made it to regional and national competitions in each of the last five seasons … also a member of the varsity gymnastics team at Marlboro as a freshman … an honor roll student every year of high school … daughter of Pam and Bill Zieden-Weber … has a younger brother, Griffin.


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