Penn State put itself on the map at the Ann Arbor Regional semifinals last year, upsetting Michigan to qualify to the final where it took a victory lap to the tune of a season-high 197.050. The Nittany Lions have been building to this for years, pushing through inconsistencies and growing pains but with bright moments that previewed what the team could do. Cassidy Rushlow’s graduation is a big loss, but the incoming class is star-studded, including three former five-stars (Elizabeth Leary, Allison Kaempfer, and Ellie Monahan) and two former four-stars (Danielle Latronica and Bella Misiura). The future is bright.
2024 Rewind
No. 15 overall | No. 8 at Big 10s | No. 25 in regular season | Regional Finals
Penn State shocked Michigan in the Wolverines’ home regional to rocket to a Sweet Sixteen finish. The Nittany Lions’ highest ranking since 2014, it was a hugely successful result, especially coming on the heels of a miss at Big Tens. Incredibly consistent all season, Penn State finished the regular season well, too. It was the first year of Sarah Shire Brown’s tenure in which all the pieces of the puzzle slid into place.
Losses & Gains
| Returning | In |
| Fifth-Years Gabbie Gallentine Maddie Johnston Seniors Jessica Johanson Isabella Salcedo Elina Vihrova Olivia Yarussi Juniors Amani Herring Ava Piedrahita Sophomores Alyssa Kramer Ashley Maul Kalea McElligott | Freshmen Allison Kaempfer Dani Latronica Elizabeth Leary Bella Misiura Ellie Monahan Transfers Cassi Barbanente (Arizona State) |
| Out | |
| Graduated Maggie Ayers Sarah Duhe Maggie Mace (UB) Cassidy Rushlow (AA) Retired Grace Harrell Katie Leary Transferred Haleigh Gibble (BB) | |
| Injury Update | |
| Dani Latronica was injured and missed level 10 nationals; she has posted videos training bars. | |
Fresh Faces
Kaempfer ended her level 10 career with a bang, scoring a 10.0 on vault at regionals, tying for the national title on the event at nationals, and finishing second in the all-around. She could develop into a star all-arounder for the Nittany Lions. Monahan will add some variety to the vault lineup with her strong Tsuk full, but where she really shines is bars and beam. Her patient work and clean lines will transition easily to college, and she should be a leader on both events. Leary comes to State College with a national title of her own, on beam, as well as a top-five all-around finish. Latronica could be a factor on bars if she is healthy enough to take landings, but beam is her highlight event. Expect her to contribute there once she’s healthy. Misuria shines on floor, where she is the reigning Massachusetts state champion.
Apparatus Deep Dive
Vault
2024 Event Ranking: No. 21 | NQS: 49.205 | Average: 49.096
| Event Overview: With Omelianchiks from Piedrahita and Salcedo and some very dynamic fulls, the Nittany Lions had a good year on vault. It was a consistent event, and Penn State is only losing Rushlow here. She only vaulted twice in 2024. | ||
| Locks: Maddie Johnston, Allison Kaempfer, Kalea McElligott, Ellie Monahan, Ava Piedrahita Kaempfer has a very nice Yuchenko one and a half, and Monahan adds a clean Tsuk full to the mix. Penn State’s score potential will start at least two-tenths higher this year. | ||
| Contenders: Amani Herring, Jessica Johanson, Elizabeth Leary, Bella Salcedo, Elina Vihrova Leary’s Yurchenko full is very clean and lineup-ready. | ||
| Wildcards: Cassi Barbanente, Dani Latronica If she’s healthy, Latronica’s full is nice. Barbanente vaulted once in 2023 for Arizona State. |
Bars
2024 Event Ranking: No. 34 | NQS: 49.175 | Average: 49.021
| Event Overview: After some early season errors on bars, Penn State figured this event out in February and was strong the rest of the season, save an off day at Big Tens. This is where Rushlow’s absence will be most felt, but Kaempfer and Monahan should soften that blow. | ||
| Locks: Gabbie Gallentine, Maddie Johnston, Allison Kaempfer, Kalea McElligott, Ellie Monahan, Ava Piedrahita Monahan has a clean and crisp set with a high Pak salto and clean full-twisting double tuck dismount that should translate well to college. Kaempfer has very nice lines and a solid piked Jaeger. | ||
| Contenders: Jessica Johanson, Dani Latronica, Elizabeth Leary, Bella Misiura Misuria has a quick and confident swing that will translate well to college, but she has been inconsistent in the past. This is the event Latronica has shown in training post-injury. | ||
| Wildcards: Cassi Barbanente, Elina Vihrova Barbanente averaged a 9.802 last season and could be an option. |
Beam
2024 Event Ranking: No. 23 | NQS: 49.240 | Average: 49.113
| Event Overview: Beam was a good event all year for Penn State, with only one miss on the year at Big Tens. Without losing any regular routines, the lineup should be competitive and even stronger this year. | ||
| Locks: Amani Herring, Maddie Johnston, Elizabeth Leary, Kalea McElligott, Ellie Monahan, Bella Salcedo Leary has the rare sheep jump that could make the leap from level 10 to college. | ||
| Contenders: Allison Kaempfer, Bella Misiura, Ava Piedrahita Kaempfer has been a little inconsistent but can be excellent on beam. Likewise for Misuria, who competes a unique back tuck to one knee. | ||
| Wildcards: Gabbie Gallentine, Dani Latronica, Ashley Maul Latronica’s level 10 high is a 9.950; she has a quick pace and competes with confidence. If she’s healthy, she’ll certainly be an option. |
Floor
2024 Event Ranking: No. 31 | NQS: 49.340 | Average: 49.175
| Event Overview: Floor had some very high highs in 2024 but some misses as well. At its best, this lineup was led by Salcedo’s double front and Amani Herring’s star quality. The lineup loses no routines and gains a lot, so look for it to improve in 2025. | ||
| Locks: Amani Herring, Allison Kaempfer, Kalea McElligott, Ellie Monahan, Bella Salcedo Monahan and Kaempfer’s sets are led by nice punch front double fulls and should challenge for regular lineup spots. | ||
| Contenders: Elizabeth Leary, Bella Misiura, Ashley Maul, Ava Piedrahita Leary has a nice front double full punch front and just needs to refine her leap series to be a lock here. Misuria is a good performer and has scored very well over her final two level 10 seasons. | ||
| Wildcards: Alyssa Kramer, Maddie Johnston, Elina Vihrova Kramer was a lineup regular last year, but with increased competition for this lineup, it’ll be harder to break in. Johnston and Vihrova each contributed a handful of routines. |
Records Watch
Team: 197.450 | AA: 39.775 | VT: 49.550/10.000 | UB: 49.500/10.000 | BB: 49.650/10.000 | FX: 49.725/10.000
It’s difficult to predict how many of Penn State’s records are in danger since so much of the scoring potential is going to depend on freshmen routines. The overall program record is a tall task, but with increased vault difficulty built-in and so much more depth, it is certainly not out of the question.
The Big Picture
Penn State should be able to keep the momentum from last year’s stellar finish in 2025. The incoming class is ranked No. 7 nationally and has had great success top to bottom in level 10, from perfect scores to national titles. This squad should look refreshed in 2025, with new faces leading lineups and increased depth across the board. The only limiting factor will how quickly the newcomers can adjust to college competition.
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Article by Emily Minehart
