UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State women's gymnastics team, led by Head Coach Sarah Brown, announced its 2020 recruiting class on Wednesday. Natalie Cross, Maddie Johnston and Maggie Mace all signed their National Letters of Intent.
The Nittany Lions open the 2020 season on Saturday, January 4 at the California Grand Invitational against Arizona State, Auburn and Denver. Penn State welcomes West Virginia on Saturday, January 11 for its home opener.
Penn State finished the 2019 season with a 10-9 dual record. The Nittany Lions earned a No. 24 national ranking, its highest since 2015. The Nittany Lions placed third at the NCAA Regional in Ann Arbor. Penn State returns 12 members from the 2019 squad including sophomore Jessie Bastardi, an NCAA Championships qualifier on beam, and junior Lauren Bridgens, a first-team All-Big Ten selection.
Natalie Cross
All-Around
Ellicott City, Md./River Hill High School
Hill's Gymnastics
Gymnastics Background:
Competes at Hill's Gymnastics for coaches Cynthia Smaha and Teri Boyden…Led her team to four straight titles at Level 10 Maryland State Championships…Earned first place in all-around at the Level 10 Maryland State Championships in 2017 and 2019. At the 2019 championships, won event titles on bars, beam and floor…Qualified for Junior Olympic Nationals three times and Level 10 Regionals four times…Selected for the Region 7 All Star team in 2018 and 2019…Placed seventh on bars at the 2019 Junior Olympic National Championships…
Personal:
Full name is Natalie Cross…Daughter of Mark Cross and Diana Vasilakis…Has a brother, Caleb…Undecided on a major…Born on October 23, 2001 in Rockville, Md.
Why Penn State?
"I chose Penn State because it has both amazing academics and athletics. I love the campus, the school spirit, and the entire community of welcoming people that surround the school."
Brown on Cross:
"We are so excited to welcome Natalie to Happy Valley! She has beautiful gymnastics that possesses both power and grace, and we cannot wait to have her on campus to begin making an impact!"
Maddie Johnston
All-Around
Boyds, Md./Poolesville
Hill's Gymnastics
Gymnastics Background:
Competes with Hill's Gymnastics for coaches Cynthia Smaha and Teri Boyden…Led Hill's Gymnastics to team titles at the Level 10 Maryland State Championships in 2019…Earned event titles in all-around and on bars and floor at the 2019 Level 10 Maryland State Championships…Swept the event titles at the 2019 Level 10 Regionals…Competed at the 2019 World Junior Olympic National Championships, placing second in all-around, second on beam, fourth on bars and seventh on floor…Participated in the 2019 Nastia Liukin Cup, placing third on bars…Competed in the 2018 U.S. Gymnastics Championships and 2018 GK U.S. Classic…Participated in the 2018 American Classic, finishing third in all-around, second on vault, fifth on floor, sixth on bars and seventh on beam…Competed at the P&G Championships in 2016 and 2017, placing second on vault both years…Participated in the 2017 U.S. Classic, 2016 Secret U.S. Classic and 2015 Hopes Championships.
Personal:
Full name is Madeleine Christine Johnston…Daughter of Betsy and Matt Johnston…Has a brother, Ryan…Undecided on a major…Born on May 28, 2002 in Washington, D.C.
Why Penn State?
"I chose Penn State because of the spirited atmosphere, beautiful campus, awesome gymnastics coaches and team, and the variety of majors it offers."
Brown on Johnston:
"Maddie's competitive experience and time as an elite gymnast has helped prepare her to be an incredibly strong college athlete. We are so happy she's found her home at Penn State and look forward to her impacting our line ups on all four events next season!"
Maggie Mace
All-Around
Dayton, Ohio/Ohio Connections Academy
Cincinnati Gymnastics
Gymnastics Background:
Competed at Ohio Connections Academy for head coach Rachael Tracy…Placed second on bars at the 2019 Ohio State championships…Led her team to a 2018 Ohio State Championship while placing third on bars…Served as a 2018 Junior Olympic Nationals alternate and qualified for the 2016 Junior Olympic Nationals…Earned the 2017 Ohio State Championships All-Around Title while finishing second on bars, fourth on beam and floor and fifth on vault…Graduated a year early from high school.
Personal:
Full name is Marguerite Linda Mace…Daughter of Gina and Chris Mace…Has a sister, Mackenzie…Planning to major in Chemical Engineering to pursue a career in manufacturing new medicines and medical devices…Born on June 2, 2003 in Canton, Michigan.
Why Penn State?
"I chose Penn State because when I stepped on campus, it felt like home and the atmosphere was like no place else."
Brown on Mace:
"Maggie was originally part of our 2021 graduating class, so we are thrilled to have her on campus a year sooner than expected! Maggie has long lines and a great work ethic that will benefit our team in multiple ways."
