2021 Gymnastics Senior Tribute
3/12/2021
The Rutgers Gymnastics Class of 2021 has lifted the program to new heights during their time “On the Banks”. The group of Sophia Atienza, Emily Drauss, Belle Huang, and Toni Williams have helped rewrite the record book and establish a strong foundation for the Scarlet Knights to build on.
Among many records over the years, this season the seniors have led Rutgers to its highest road score in program history, marking the third highest team score overall. The Scarlet Knights recorded the program's first conference win over Nebraska last month to add to an already stellar list of achievements and accolades.
The four also had a hand in the second-highest team score for Rutgers gymnastics with a 196.050 to top No. 15 Penn State to add another highlight to the 2019 campaign. Following that season, Rutgers was recognized as the most improved team with a first year head coach in data collected by College Gym News, having climbed nine spots in the national rankings from 2018 to 2019.
In 2020, the quartet kept the upward trajectory moving and pushed the Scarlet Knights to its highest ranked victory and first ever win over No. 15 Auburn, totaling a then top road score for the program.
Over the years, the team event scores have continued to be re-established as well with guidance from this senior class. The group set a program-best team vault score and third-best bars and floor scores, as well as a second-best team beam score this year.
In the classroom they have a collective resume of Scholastic All-America, Academic All-Big Ten, and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar accolades for their strong work in the classroom.
Rutgers gymnastics celebrates the Class of 2021 ahead of Saturday's Senior Day. The seniors caught up with ScarletKnights.com to reflect on their careers at Rutgers.
SOPHIA ATIENZA
VAULT | FLOOR
PUBLIC HEALTH MAJOR
COPLEY, OHIO
WHAT WILL YOU MISS MOST?
I will definitely miss being so close to my teammates. I gained an appreciation for the small things with them like hanging out after practice and meets. Gymnastics brought us all together and I am so grateful.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RUTGERS MEMORY?
One memory that always stands out to me is when I won vault at Michigan State my freshman year. As a freshman, I was still trying to find my confidence in gymnastics at the D1 level and that win just affirmed that I was capable of being competitive.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOLLOWING GRADUATION?
It would be my dream to be able to take time to travel to countries in Europe and Asia. After, I hope to continue my education in order to get my Masters in Public Health.
WHAT HAS RUTGERS GYMNASTICS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU WILL CARRY THROUGH LIFE?
Rutgers Gymnastics taught me that I am much stronger than I had thought. Gymnastics taught me how to succeed under pressure and the importance of goal setting. These are lessons that I will carry through life.
IS THERE ANYONE YOU WOULD LIKE TO THANK?
First, I would love to thank my parents and family for being a constant source of encouragement and support. Through the entire process of recruitment and all four years on the team they have always been there for me. I also thank my coaches for pushing me to be my best each practice and competition. Finally, to all my Rutgers Gymnastics teammates, I thank all of you for all of the incredible memories that I will never forget.
EMILY DRAUSS
BARS | BEAM
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING MAJOR
LONGWOOD, FLA.
WHAT WILL YOU MISS THE MOST?
I’ll really miss the excitement of competing with my team. The energy our team generates when we are having a great meet and having lots of fun is an amazing thing to be a part of. I’ll especially miss competing at home in the RAC, where we had the support and energy of our fans and friends in our home arena.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RUTGERS MEMORY?
My favorite Rutgers memory was our last meet of the 2020 season when we won the quad meet at University of New Hampshire and beat a top team like Auburn. It was a double meet weekend and we had just come off a win at our tri-meet at home so we were able to carry the momentum from that and put it all together. Throughout the weekend, the energy was high and the atmosphere of the team was focusing on ourselves and no other team which led us to victory!
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOLLOWING GRADUATION?
Following graduation from undergrad, I am furthering my education by pursuing a Master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering.
WHAT HAS RUTGERS GYMNASTICS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU WILL CARRY THROUGH LIFE?
Rutgers gymnastics has taught me so much on an individual level and so much through the team aspect. On an individual level, I have learned even more about perseverance and determination. If I can get through the hardest times here by balancing being a student-athlete, I will be able to overcome anything. By the team aspect of things, I have really learned how to support others and to trust others to support me. Gymnastics is a very individualized sport but being on a college team, where everyone is representing one name, brings us closer together and teaches you to support each other through everything.
IS THERE ANYONE YOU WOULD LIKE TO THANK?
I’d like to thank my parents first of all for all their support throughout my entire gymnastics journey. They have done so much for me to help me reach this point and achieve so many athletic and academic goals I had set. I’d like to thank the coaches for making the end part of my gymnastics career unforgettable and be able to look back at my journey here with no regrets. Lastly, I would like to thank all the teammates I’ve had here at Rutgers that have filled my time with laughter and support through all the ups and downs.
BELLE HUANG
TEAM CAPTAIN
ALL-AROUND
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES MAJOR
GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND
WHAT WILL YOU MISS MOST?
The memories made during travel trips with my teammates.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RUTGERS MEMORY?
The win at University of New Hampshire last year. We were all so focused within our bubble that to finish the meet and realize that we beat Auburn was incredible and exhilarating.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOLLOWING GRADUATION?
My plans following graduation are to complete a Master’s in Microbial Biology then attend PA school to ultimately become a PA
WHAT HAS RUTGERS GYMNASTICS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU WILL CARRY THROUGH LIFE?
Rutgers gymnastics has taught me the value of working in a team setting and how through the support and assistance from one another, we can be successful.
IS THERE ANYONE YOU WOULD LIKE TO THANK?
My family and boyfriend for the endless support they’ve given me along with my coaches who pushed me to become the gymnast and person I’ve become today.
TONI WILLIAMS
VAULT | BARS | FLOOR
SPORT MANAGEMENT MAJOR
ECONOMICS AND PSYCHOLOGY MINOR
OLNEY, MARYLAND
WHAT WILL YOU MISS MOST?
I’m going to miss being a part of the Rutgers Athletics community the most. It’s been great to be able to make so many friends here at school that are all as motivated and goal oriented as I am.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RUTGERS MEMORY?
In my sophomore season (2019) we had a home meet against Penn State. We ended up winning the competition and getting our second highest team score in program history. This is my favorite memory on the team because whenever any sport at school goes against Penn State all of us as an athletic department get together and cheer on each other. It was an amazing feeling to have that huge win with all my Rutgers family around and put up those scores for my team.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOLLOWING GRADUATION?
I plan on staying here at Rutgers to further my education in the Global Sports Business Masters Program.
WHAT HAS RUTGERS GYMNASTICS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU WILL CARRY THROUGH LIFE?
What Rutgers Gymnastics has taught me that I will be carrying through my life is to always keep pushing forward no matter what obstacles come your way.
IS THERE ANYONE YOU WOULD LIKE TO THANK?
I want to thank my teammates for being my family while I’ve been away from my other family. I’m going to miss all of you for so many different reasons and I appreciate you all. I want to thank my coaches, especially coach Mike, for putting up with my craziness and always telling me to not be my biggest hater. A special thanks to my PT guy Bobby for always helping me get through all the obstacles my body throws my way...PT Gang for life!! Lastly I would like to thank my mom for motivating me and always telling me to never give up. For being by my side since day 1 and dealing with me and all the things that have come with gymnastics. Without you none of this would have been possible.
THANK YOU, SENIORS!
