Rutgers gymnastics seniors Avery Balser and Emily Leese have qualified for the 2024 NCAA Regional Championships as individual event specialists at the University of Florida in Gainesville, with Leese being unable to compete due to a season-ending injury. Balser, with a National Qualifying Score of 9.880 on the uneven bars, qualifies for her first NCAA Regional Championships, while Leese concluded her senior season as an All-Big Ten Second Team selection and with her third consecutive qualification to the NCAA Regional Championships.

By the Numbers
  • Rutgers gymnastics have sent the team or individuals to regionals for a 14th consecutive season dating back to 2011
  • Balser won seven bars events during her senior season in 2024, including the George Washington quad meet on March 17 with a career-high tying 9.950
  • Balser scored a 9.800 on bars at the Big Ten Championships, placing 15th of 36 in Session I and 32nd of 60 overall
  • Leese tied her own program record on vault with a score of 9.925 performing the 10.0-start value Yurchenko 1.5
  • Leese added a 9.9 on floor in the same meet to help Rutgers score a 196.825, the team's second-highest score in program history
Yes, But

Emily Leese will be unable to compete in the NCAA Regional Championships due to a season-ending injury.

State of Play
  • Rutgers gymnastics has qualified multiple gymnasts for regionals for the fourth consecutive season under head coach Umme Salim-Beasley
  • Avery Balser won seven bars events during her senior season in 2024
  • Emily Leese concluded her senior season as an All-Big Ten Second Team selection
  • Rutgers gymnastics reached a team score of 196.825, the team's second-highest score in program history
Bottom Line

Rutgers gymnastics seniors Avery Balser and Emily Leese have qualified for the 2024 NCAA Regional Championships, with Balser set to compete as an individual event specialist at the University of Florida in Gainesville. However, Leese will be unable to compete due to a season-ending injury, marking a bittersweet conclusion to her senior season.