2022 Gymnastics Season Preview
1/5/2022
Rutgers gymnastics opens its 2022 season on Friday, Jan. 7 on the road at Florida. Entering the new year, the Scarlet Knights look to build off a record-breaking 2021 campaign and continue raising the bar for the program.
2021 SEASON RECAP
The 2021 season was one for the record books as Rutgers produced its highest ever finish and score at the Big Ten Championships, two NCAA Regional qualifiers, a National qualifier, two First Team All-Big Ten honorees, 14 Academic All-Big Ten recipients, 19 WCGA Scholastic All-Americans, and much more.
In addition to a record-setting Big Ten Championships, Rutgers posted the highest road score (195.975), the second highest beam score (49.275), the third best team score (195.975) ever, the fourth best home and ninth best overall score (195.525) in program history. The Scarlet Knights also recorded the program's first ever conference victory over Nebraska during the regular season.
Belle Huang and Hannah Joyner earned All-Big Ten First Team accolades following the regular season. It marked the second All-Big Ten recognition for each, as well as the first time in program history Rutgers secured two first team honorees in a single season. The pair represented the Scarlet Knights at NCAA Regionals in the all-around. Joyner, who eclipsed the school record on beam at 9.950, went on to become the third RU gymnast in history to advance to Nationals and first to do so in the event.
A full recap of the 2021 season can be found here.
THE SCARLET KNIGHTS
Led by fourth year head coach Umme Salim-Beasley, the Scarlet Knights return 20 letterwinners to the squad while welcoming nine newcomers. The team will be led this year by captains Belle Huang, Hannah Joyner and Stephanie Zannella.
Among the returners, Huang is back for her fifth-year of eligibility. She joins the 2022 senior class of Mia Betancourt, Abigail Karolewski, and Sage Littlejohn.
The newcomers enter collegiate gymnastics having been tabbed a top 25 ranked 2021-22 recruiting class by College Gym News. Additionally, newcomer Elia Aird and returner Hannah Joyner were named Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch for the 2022 season by the conference.
SCHEDULE
The Scarlet Knights are set for six away meets and four home meets, as well as the Big Five meet and Big Ten Championships. Following its opener on the road, Rutgers is set for its first home meet on Saturday, January 15 in the newly named Jersey Mike’s Arena.
The Big Five meet is set for Saturday, February 19 hosted at Elevate the Stage in Toledo, Ohio. The Big Ten Championships are slated for Saturday, March 19 hosted by Ohio State. NCAA Regionals are scheduled for April 2, while NCAA Championships are on for April 15.
For the full 2022 schedule, click here.
