UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Women's Gymnastics team, led by Head Coach Sarah Brown, has added two newcomers to its 2020 recruiting class. Maggie Ayers and Abi Walker will join the program beginning in Fall 2020.
Ayers and Walker join the 2020 class that includes Natalie Cross, Maddie Johnston and Maggie Mace.
The Nittany Lions ended the season ranked 30th in the RoadToNationals standings. Penn State earned eight dual-meet wins, including four victories over ranked opponents. The Nittany Lions notched five scores above a 196.000, its most since 2015. The Nittany Lions averaged a 196.230 in five home meets, its highest at Rec Hall since 2015.
Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateWomensGymnastics) and Twitter/Instagram (@pennstatewgym).
Maggie Ayers
All-Around
York, Pa./York Suburban
Hanover Gymnastics
Gymnastics Background:
Ayers competed as a member of the Hanover Gymnastics club for coaches Minyoung Kwon and Lisa Pratt…Won the 2018 Pennsylvania Level 10 beam title…Qualified for the Level 10 Pennsylvania state championships in 2018 and 2019…Competed in the Level 10 regional championships in 2018 and 2019...Led her team to first-place finishes at the 2020 Chicago Style meet and 2019 Hard Rock Classic and Katie Baldwin Invitational Meets.
Personal
Full name is Margaret Sharon Ayers…Daughter of Matthew and Penny Ayers…Has three sisters, Katie, Ava and Lucy, and a brother, Anthony…Planning to major in earth science & policy…Born on May 6, 2002 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Why Penn State?
"After visiting several schools and seeing their programs, Penn State stood out to me as far superior in many aspects. Having my mother as an alumna of Penn State, I was already familiar with the beautiful campus and high standard of academics. In the summer of 2017, I attended my first Penn State gymnastics camp and have attended almost every summer and fall camp since. At these camps, I had the opportunity to get to know the amazing coaching staff, practice in the Penn State gym, and get a sense of the team culture on the gymnastics team. Along with this, on my unofficial visit I learned about the exceptional resources provided for Penn State student athletes. After taking all of this into account, Penn State's unparalleled characteristics made the decision of where to go easy. I'm so excited to start my journey with this team this fall! WE ARE!"
Coach Brown on Ayers:
"I am thrilled to add Maggie to the 2020-2021 roster! She has continued to get stronger on each event and I believe her best gymnastics is ahead of her. Maggie's family is full of Penn State pride and we are so excited to have another Pennsylvania native on the roster!"
Abi Walker
All-Around
Vidalia, Ga./Adirondack Learning Academy
Texas Dreams Gymnastics
Gymnastics Background:
Competed for Texas Dreams Gymnastics for head coach Kim Zmeskal Burdette…Placed third on bars and fourth on beam at the 2019 Region 3 Level 10 meet…Qualified as International Elite and competed at the Secret Championships and US National Championships in 2015 and 2017.
Personal:
Full name is Abigail Walker…Daughter of Chris and Molly Walker…Has a sister, Sarah…Intends to major in arts and architecture…Born on August 25, 2001 in Spokane, Washington.
Why Penn State?
"Penn State is a top ranked school for academics. I love the campus and how beautiful it is. I feel a strong connection with the coaching staff and the team. The team seems like they are always there for each other and the environment created within is very positive and uplifting. I can't wait to be apart of this amazing team and I'm so excited for the journey that awaits."
Coach Brown on Walker:
"We are so excited to have Abi joining our team this year! She was a standout athlete during her club career and her impeccable lines and clean form will be an incredible addition to our lineups, especially on bars and beam."
