UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Sophomore Jessica Johanson and freshman Amani Herring were named Penn State's gymnasts to watch for the 2023 season, as announced by the Big Ten on Wednesday afternoon.
In her first year as a Nittany Lion in the 2022 campaign, Johanson competed in ten meets across three events. Her 9.900 on vault at the Big Five Meet on Feb. 19 set a season high and was her best score on any event during the season. Personal bests of 9.850 on bars and 9.800 on floor rounded out a solid first year in Happy Valley for Johanson.
Herring comes to Penn State after competing for North Stars Gymnastics in New Jersey, where she was a two-time Level 10 National Qualifier in 2019 and 2022, including a third-place all-around finish in 2022. Additionally, she was the New Jersey State Champion in the floor exercise.
2023 SEASON OUTLOOK
The Nittany Lions enter the season ranked No. 35 in the WCGA Coaches Poll, as announced by the association recently. Additionally, Penn State comes into the season ranked ninth in the Big Ten conference and will have the chance to compete against each Big Ten squad throughout the course of the season.
Penn State returns two NCAA Regional qualifiers in senior Cassidy Rushlow (bars) and sophomore Isabella Salcedo (floor) this season.
The Nittany Lions begin their season with a trip to Pittsburgh for the Keystone Classic, where they will take on Temple, Penn, and Pitt. Penn State's first home competition comes a week later when the squad returns to Rec Hall to compete against Penn, LIU, and Southern Connecticut State.
Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateWomensGymnastics) and Twitter/Instagram (@pennstatewgym).
