Injuries to numerous key contributors caused Penn State some serious pain last year, but they also gave a stacked freshman class the opportunity to step into key lineup positions early and learn to handle pressure. Now, with senior stars Amani Herring and Ava Piedrahita returning and that crew of rising sophomores battle-tested, there’s an opportunity for growth in Happy Valley.
2025 Rewind
No. 25 overall | No. 11 at Big Ten | No. 28 in regular season | Regionals round two
This was a pretty strong showing considering how significant the injury burden was for a lot of the season. Penn State’s best meets still weren’t very high scoring, but it was a team that could take care of business on the important days, and that shows in the final results.
Losses & Gains
| RETURNING |
| Fifth Years: Jessica Johanson |
| Seniors: Amani Herring, Ava Piedrahita |
| Juniors: Alyssa Kramer, Ashley Maul, Kalea McElligott |
| Sophomores: Allison Kaempfer, Dani Latronica, Elizabeth Leary, Bella Misiura, Ellie Monahan |
| IN |
| Freshmen: Kayla Bender, Ava Cash, Saidat Omilabu, Lizzy Ryan, Alexandria Zambrano |
| Transfers: Marisa Fisher (Minnesota) |
| OUT |
| Graduated: Cassi Barbanente (UB), Gabbie Gallentine (UB), Maddie Johnston (VT/UB/BB), Isabella Salcedo (VT/BB), Elina Vihrova (VT/UB/FX), Olivia Yarussi |
| INJURY UPDATE |
| Seniors Herring and Piedrahita, as well as fifth year senior Johanson, had season-ending injuries in 2025 and should be back. Transfer Fisher will likely miss the season with an Achilles tear. |
Apparatus Deep Dive
Vault
2025 Event Ranking: No. 36 | NQS: 48.955 | Average: 48.900 | High: 49.275
| Event Overview: This lineup will continue to be mostly Yurchenko fulls, so the return of Piedrahita’s Omelianchik will be particularly appreciated. The injury returners should improve the ceiling of this event, though it still might not be a strength. | ||
| Locks: Amani Herring, Elizabeth Leary, Ava Piedrahita | ||
| Contenders: Ava Cash, Jessica Johanson, Kalea McElligot | ||
| Wildcards: Kayla Bender, Allison Kaempfer, Dani Latronica, Bella Misiura, Ellie Monahan, Saidat Omilabu |
Bars
2025 Event Ranking: No. 28 | NQS: 49.170 | Average: 49.079 | High: 49.325
| Event Overview: Depth might be a little tight here, with only five returners who have done a bars routine in the last two years, but the sophomores should have more to offer on this event and freshman Cash is particularly strong here. | ||
| Locks: Dani Latronica, Ava Piedrahita | ||
| Contenders: Ava Cash, Jessica Johanson, Elizabeth Leary | ||
| Wildcards: Allison Kaempfer, Kalea McElligot, Bella Misiura, Ellie Monahan, Saidat Omilabu, Alexandria Zambrano |
Beam
2025 Event Ranking: No. 25 | NQS: 49.115 | Average: 48.965 | High: 49.225
| Event Overview: Beam was a strong event last year and should get stronger with the return of Piedrahita and Herring in particular, who has a career high of 9.950 on this event and will likely anchor. | ||
| Locks: Amani Herring, Ashley Maul, Ava Piedrahita | ||
| Contenders: Elizabeth Leary, Dani Latronica, Kalea McElligot | ||
| Wildcards: Kayla Bender, Ava Cash, Jessica Johanson, Allison Kaempfer, Alyssa Kramer, Bella Misiura, Ellie Monahan, Lizzy Ryan, Alexandria Zambrano |
Floor
2025 Event Ranking: No. 47 | NQS: 49.055 | Average: 48.965 | High: 49.225
| Event Overview: Floor was a challenge last year for the slightly underpowered Nittany Lions. Getting the seniors back on this event will be very valuable, but the floor lineup might still be lacking in signature routines. | ||
| Locks: Amani Herring, Allison Kaempfer, Kalea McElligot, Ava Piedrahita, | ||
| Contenders: Jessica Johanson, Alyssa Kramer, Elizabeth Leary, Ashley Maul, Bella Misiura | ||
| Wildcards: Ava Cash, Ellie Monahan, Saidat Omilabu |
Records Watch
Team: 197.450 | AA: 39.775 (Katie Rowland) | VT: 49.550/10.0 (Brandi Personett) | UB: 49.500/10.0 (Lauren Bridgens) | BB: 49.650/10.0 (Katie Rowland) | FX: 49.725/10.0 (Ellen Casey)
The Big Picture
Depth will be much more comfortable for Penn State this year compared to last. To take the next step, the Nittany Lions need to find underclassman routines that can score in the 9.9s rather than the 9.7s. This is a team that is aiming to improve and is recruiting accordingly; now is the time to work on lifting the scoring ceiling.
Likely 2026 finish: Regionals Round Two
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Article by Rebecca Scally
