PHILADELPHIA – University of Pennsylvania head women's gymnastics coach Kirsten Becker has announced her program's Class of 2025 recruiting class. Six young women—Emma Davies, Isabella and Marigold Garrett, Zara Gazdak, Isabel Song and Olivia VanHorn—will join the program next fall as freshmen.
 
"We are excited to officially welcome this talented group of student-athletes to Penn Gymnastics," said Becker, who was hired as the Quakers' head coach in May after five years as the program's assistant coach. "While they each have personal strengths across the four events, as a group they will bring a variety of difficult skills to our team on vault and floor. Throughout the recruiting process, these six young women have displayed how hard-working and determined they are, both on the gymnastics floor and in the classroom. I am eager to see their impact on the program throughout the years to come!"

EMMA DAVIES
BIO Gymnastics
Cumming, Ga.
 
Top 3 Junior Olympic Accomplishments:

• 2019 Georgia State Championships: second place All-Around; second place Vault, Bars, Floor
• 2019 Region 8 Championships qualifier
• 2020 Charleston Cup All-Around Champion

Level 10 High Scores:

• Vault: 9.65
• Bars: 9.475
• Beam: 9.15
• Floor: 9.6
• All-Around: 37.025

High School Accomplishments:

• AP Scholar
• Headmasters List
• National Honor Society member
• Senior Beta Club member

Favorite Event - Floor
 
Why Penn?
"While there are many reasons as to why I chose Penn, the one that dominates is the perfect balance of amazing academics and stellar athletics that Penn offers. Having access to the world-renowned Wharton School curriculum and the opportunity to be a part of an amazing and supportive team makes Penn the perfect fit for me. I fell in love with the city of Philadelphia, the campus, and the overall atmosphere as soon as I arrived."
 
 
ISABELLA GARRETT
Elite Gymnastics Academy
Sherborn, Mass.
 
Top 3 Junior Olympic Accomplishments:

• 2016-2019 Junior Olympic National Championship qualifier
• Member of third-place team at 2019 Junior Olympic Nationals
• 2019 Massachusetts State Championships: third place All-Around; second place Bars, Beam

Level 10 High Scores
Vault: 9.6
Bars: 9.475
Beam: 9.475
Floor: 9.675
All-Around: 37.750

High School Accomplishments:

• Brown Book Award recipient
• National Merit semifinalist
• National Honor Society member
• Winner of High School's Junior Year Math, Science, and English Excellence Awards

Why Penn?
"I chose Penn because from the moment I stepped on campus, I felt like that's where I belonged. Penn's emphasis on excellence in both athletics and academics was exactly what I was looking for, and the team atmosphere is everything I could have wished for and more. I cannot wait to call Penn home!"
 
Favorite event - Bars
 
 
MARIGOLD GARRETT
Elite Gymnastics Academy
Sherborn, Mass.
 
Top 3 Junior Olympic Accomplishments:

• 2020 All-Around Champion and Top Level 10 at Gasparilla Classic
• 2019 Junior Olympic National Championships: ninth place All-Around; sixth place Beam
• 2017-2019 Junior Olympic National Championship qualifier

Level 10 High Scores:

• Vault: 9.650
• Bars: 9.6
• Beam: 9.675
• Floor: 9.7
• All-Around: 38.375

High School Accomplishments:

• National Honor Society member
• AP Scholar

Favorite Event - Floor
 
Why Penn?
"My first experience at Penn was the summer after my sophomore year when I attended a gymnastics camp. I was extremely impressed by the quality of the gymnastics training facilities and immediately realized that I could continue to improve as a gymnast if I attended Penn. A few months later I got to see the team in action and loved the atmosphere that Coach Becker had created. Finally, when I researched all of the academic opportunities the University offered, I knew for sure that Penn was the place for me."
 
 
ZARA GAZDAK
Gotham Gymnastics
New York, N.Y.
 
Top 3 Junior Olympic Accomplishments:

• Voted team captain by coaches and teammates for the 2019-20 season
• 2018 New York State Championships: fifth place All-Around; second place Bars, fifth place Vault
• 2018 Region 6 Championships qualifier

Level 10 High Scores:

• Vault: 9.525
• Bars: 9.425
• Beam: 9.4
• Floor: 9.575 
• All-Around: 37.175

High School Accomplishments:

• National Honor Society member
• Voted onto National Honor Society Executive Board by classmates
• Honor Roll for every year of high school
• 4.0 GPA out of a 4.0 GPA scale
• Started my own business, zH Water, influenced by my gymnastics career

Why Penn?
"I chose Penn because of its strong balance between a rigorous academic environment and a top-level athletics program. When I visited campus the girls on the team were so welcoming and supportive which made me know that this was the best place for me! As a student who has started her own business, I also chose Penn to develop my business skills as well as broaden my interests into other areas through the diverse classes that Penn offers."
 
Favorite Events - Vault & Bars
 
 
ISABEL SONG
Will-Moor Gymnastics
Moorestown, N.J.
 
Top 3 Junior Olympic Accomplishments:

• 2019 Region 7 Championships: Bars & All-Around Champion; second place Vault, Floor; third place Beam
• 2019 New Jersey State Vault champion
• 2018 New Jersey State Floor champion & Junior Olympic National Championship qualifier

Level 10 High Scores:

• Vault: 9.7
• Bars: 9.7
• Beam: 9.5
• Floor: 9.6
• All-Around: 38.15

 High School Accomplishments:

• Honor and Service Society member
• AP Scholar with Distinction
• National Merit commended student
• National Spanish Exam gold medal recipient

Why Penn?
"Having grown up so close to Philly, Penn has always been my dream school! It is the perfect combination of an amazing gymnastics team and excellent academic opportunities. I also love the campus and the city. It is an honor to have the opportunity to attend such an awesome school!"

Favorite event - Vault
 
 
OLIVIA VANHORN
Silvia's Gymnastics
Audubon, Pa.
 
Top 3 Junior Olympic Accomplishments:

• 2019 Region 7 Championships: third place Floor
• 2017 & 2018 Pennsylvania State Floor champion
• 2017 Junior Olympic National qualifier (alternate)

 Level 10 High Scores:

• Vault: 9.55
• Bars: 9.0
• Beam: 9.35
• Floor: 9.675
• All Around: 37.25

 High School Accomplishments:

• 9-12th grade Methacton High School "M" Award
• High Honor Roll student
• National Honor Society member

Why Penn?
"For years, it has been my dream to study at Penn and compete in The Palestra. The first time I walked through campus and attended a meet, I knew Penn was the perfect place for me! When I first met the team and coaches, they were so positive and supportive. I love that I have the opportunity to represent the Quakers as a student-athlete, and I cannot wait to spend the next four years at Penn!"
 
Favorite event – Floor