2014 (Sophomore Year)
Did not compete during the 2014 season...Named Academic All-Big Ten and was a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.
2013 (Freshman Year)
Did not compete during the 2013 season.
Gymnastics Background
Lettered all four years at LaSalle Academy in Providence, R.I. for coach Cathy Kent...Selected team captain as a senior...Named first team All-State three times during her career, earning the distinction as a sophomore, junior and senior ...Placed third in the all-around at Rhode Island Interscholastic League State Championships...Was the Regional Champion on the floor exercise as a junior...Was a member of the RIIL State Championship team as a freshman...Competed with the Aim High Academy and coaches Sherri Jackson and Ricky Harris...Was a three-time USAG Rhode Island State Champion and a two-time Jackie Court Award winner...Was a member of National Honor Society and the Rhode Island Honor Society.
Personal
Born Savannah M. Soares in Providence, R.I. on April 27, 1994...Daughter of Nicole and Mariano Soares...Has one brother, Joseph...Intends on majoring in Kinesiology...Cousin, James Robinson, plays basketball at the University of Pittsburgh...Lists shopping, dancing and watching movies as her hobbies, Beyoncé as her favorite entertainer, math and science as her favorite subjects, the Boston Red Sox as her favorite pro sports team and Gabby Douglas as her favorite athlete...Says pasta and caesar salad are her favorite food, Channing Tatum and Jennifer Lopez are her favorite actors and Miami, Fla. is her favorite places to visit...Is a member of the Athletic Director[apos]s Leadership Institute at Penn State.
Why Penn State?
'As a young child, I had a coach who sparked my interest by talking about Penn State and what it was like to be a Nittany Lion gymnast. It became my dream to attend Penn State when I visited the campus when I was 14 years old. As soon as I walked onto the campus I felt like I belonged there and when I saw the training facility my dream turned into a goal.'