Gymnastics | Meet R Freshmen

Rutgers gymnastics welcomes eight freshmen for the 2021-22 season - Elia Aird, Brayden Battavio, Bella Hughes, Maya Jones, Jackie Manifold, Anna Pagliaro, Mya Pringle, and Anna Yeakel. Get to know the newest Scarlet Knights ahead of the season opener on Friday, Jan. 7 at Florida.

ELIA AIRD

All-Around

Winter Garden, Fla. 

Windermere High School

Prior to Rutgers: JO National Qualifier...Club Gymnastics 2008-2021...top 3% in graduating class.

Personal: Daughter of Irma and Gabre Aird...has three siblings Gabriel, Joshua and Imani... brother Gabriel ran track at the University of Florida.

BRAYDEN BATTAVIO

All-Around 

Woodstown, N.J.

Woodstown High School

Prior to Rutgers: 2016 Level 9 Regional Floor Champion...2016 Level 9 National Qualifier...2018 JO National Qualifier...2021 JO National Qualifier...Level 10 2017-2021...Club Gymnastics 2007-2021...Honor Roll student.

Personal: Daughter of Lisa and James Battavio...has two siblings, Walker and Talia...father played baseball Pfeiffer University.

BELLA HUGHES

All-Around 

Greensboro, N.C.

Ragsdale High School

Prior to Rutgers: 2019 State, Regional and National Qualifier...2019 JO National Qualifier...2019 Level 10 Regional Floor Champion...Club Gymnastics 2010-2021...graduated with Cum Laude.

Personal: Daughter of Melissa Hagan and Timothy Hughes...has two brothers, Jeremy and Joshua...Mom ran track and field at the University of Pittsburgh.

MAYA JONES 

All-Around 

McKinney, Texas

Independence High School (Frisco, Texas)

Prior to Rutgers: Level 10 gymnast…Club gymnastics 2011-2021…Placed second in all-around at Regionals.

Personal: Daughter of Elvan and Lisa Jones...has four siblings, Marcus, Brianna, Morgan, and Madison...studying towards a career as an attorney. 

JACKIE MANIFOLD

All-Around 

Albuquerque, N.M.

Pecos Connections Academy

Prior to Rutgers: Two-time Level 10 State Champion...two-time National Qualifier...Club Gymnastics 2008-2021.

Personal: Daughter of Julie VanSomeren and Rex Manifold...has one brother, Case...studying towards a career as a physical therapist.

ANNA PAGLIARO

All-Around 

Freehold, N.J. 

Freehold Township High School 

Prior to Rutgers: Two-time JO National qualifier Level 10…2018/2019 State Champion on vault…Club gymnastics 2005-2021…Member of Freehold Township High School gymnastics team 2017-2020…member of the honor roll 2017-2021.

Personal: Daughter of Michael and Megan Pagliaro…has a sister, Kristen, who plays softball at Neumann University…studying towards a career as a physical therapist.

MYA PRINGLE 

All-Around

Orlando, Fla. 

Colonial High School 

Prior to Rutgers: JO National Qualifier Level 10...Regional Beam Champion Level 10...Club Gymnastics 2012-2021...Honor Roll student.

Personal: Daughter of Keiko and Derrick Pringle...has two brothers, Tyreque and Dominique...studying towards a career as veterinarian.

ANNA YEAKEL

Bars & Beam

Orefield, Pa. 

Parkland High School 

Prior to Rutgers: Four-time State Qualifier...two-time regional qualifier...2018 JO National Qualifier...2018 Regional Vault Champion...Level 10 gymnast...Honor Roll student.

Personal: Daughter of Tammy and Eric Yeakel...has one brother, Eric...majoring in Engineering.