Rutgers Gymnastics Eyes Momentum in Road Meet vs. No. 24 Maryland
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Rutgers Gymnastics is back on the road this weekend, heading into a high-stakes dual meet against No. 24 Maryland. The matchup, set for Saturday evening, offers the Scarlet Knights another chance to build on what’s already shaping up to be a historic season.
A Record-Setting Start
Let’s start with the numbers that turned heads: a 195.400 in the season opener. That’s not just a solid outing - it’s a program-best for an opening meet.
Rutgers topped both Temple and Brockport in that Tri-Meet, and more importantly, they did it with poise, execution, and depth across the lineup. That kind of start doesn’t just happen by accident - it’s a product of preparation and a team that’s clearly ready to take the next step.
National Rankings Snapshot
As the season gets rolling, the Scarlet Knights find themselves ranked No. 44 nationally in average team score. On vault, they’ve cracked the Top 40, sitting at No. 36 - a testament to the power and precision they’ve been bringing to the table. Individually, senior captain Gabrielle Dildy is making noise in the all-around, currently ranked No. 42 in the country.
The Return of Emily Leese
One of the most welcome sights for Rutgers fans this season? Seeing graduate student and team captain Emily Leese back in action.
After missing all of 2025 due to injury, Leese returned in style, winning vault with a 9.900 in her first meet back. She didn’t stop there - she also helped lead the team on beam and floor, contributing a 9.825 on floor.
Leese’s presence is more than just a scoring boost - it’s an emotional and leadership lift for a team with postseason aspirations.
Dildy Dominates the All-Around
Gabrielle Dildy’s evolution into a true all-around force has been one of the early storylines of the season. Making her all-around debut at the Rutgers Tri, she posted a 39.325, highlighted by a 9.900 on floor.
That’s elite territory. She followed it up with a 39.300 at the Ball State Tri, again showing consistency and power, especially on floor where she notched a 9.875.
Dildy’s ability to deliver across all four events gives Rutgers flexibility and firepower - exactly what you want from a senior captain.
Fresh Faces Making Their Mark
It’s not just the veterans getting it done. Sophomore Campbell Earley made her debut at the Rutgers Tri, leading off bars with a strong 9.800.
Freshman Vivienne Larsen has already seen action on vault and recently added beam to her resume against Penn State. And sophomore Rachel Beaulieu made her first appearance on beam against Ohio State.
These debuts are more than just developmental milestones - they signal that Rutgers has depth, and they’re not afraid to use it.
A New Era Under Anastasia Candia
This is the first full season with Anastasia Candia officially at the helm, but she’s no stranger to the Banks. After stepping in as acting head coach last season and guiding the Scarlet Knights to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in over a decade, Candia now leads the program with the interim tag removed.
Her deep roots with Rutgers - as a former gymnast, assistant coach, and now head coach - bring continuity and a clear vision. The early returns speak for themselves.
Building on a Breakthrough Year
The 2025 season was a turning point. Rutgers not only reached the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2014, but they also posted a 196.225 at the Big Ten Championships - their best score at the conference meet since joining the league in 2015.
Three gymnasts - Delaney Adrian, Gabrielle Dildy, and Rachael Riley - qualified individually for the NCAA postseason, and all three are back in the lineup this year. That kind of experience is invaluable, especially with the team aiming to prove last year was just the beginning.
Leaders to Watch
Both Dildy and Leese were named Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch heading into the season, and it’s easy to see why.
Dildy’s 2025 campaign was packed with highlights - a 9.850 on beam at Big Tens, a 9.850 on floor, and a 9.800 on vault. She was named the team’s Most Valuable Gymnast for the second straight year and racked up a host of team awards, including the Pom Pom Award, Stick Queen, the 9.9 Award, and the 100% Award. Her career highs - 9.900 on vault, beam, and floor - speak to her all-around excellence.
Leese, meanwhile, brings a decorated résumé of her own. A 2024 All-Big Ten Second Team selection, she holds the program vault record with a 9.925 (done twice, in 2023 and 2024) and has also hit 9.925 on floor.
She’s a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, a three-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, and a WCGA Scholastic All-American. Now back healthy and competing, she’s poised to be a difference-maker once again.
Veteran Core Returns
Continuity is a major strength for this team. Of the 20 gymnasts on the roster, 17 are returners from last year’s NCAA squad.
That includes the top scorers from both the Big Ten Championships and NCAA Regionals. With Dildy, Adrian, and Riley all back after qualifying individually for NCAAs, this is a group that knows what it takes to compete at the highest level - and isn’t content to stop there.
As Rutgers heads into a tough test on the road against Maryland, the pieces are in place for another statement performance. With a mix of veteran leadership, emerging talent, and a head coach who knows the program inside and out, the Scarlet Knights aren’t just aiming to compete - they’re aiming to climb.