Huskers Add Four Gymnasts with Midwest Ties

The Nebraska women's gymnastics program will welcome four talented performers from the Midwest next season, after Head Coach Heather Brink announced her 2020 signing class on Thursday, Nov. 12.

Nebraska's group features four experienced Level 10 gymnasts, including Ayzhia Hall (Arkansas), Emma Simpton (Texas), Savanah Warren (Colorado) and Halle Rourke (Nebraska). All four produced top-20 finishes at the 2019 Junior Olympic National Championships in at least one event, and three of the four have won at least one Level 10 state championship during their careers.

"We are pleased to welcome our 2020 signing class to the Husker family," Brink said. "They are a group of determined and incredibly talented gymnasts who are thrilled and excited to compete for the University of Nebraska. Each of them brings a special skill set and competitiveness that will help strengthen our team, both athletically and academically. I look forward to welcoming them to Lincoln, and have no doubt the impact they will make as Husker gymnasts."

Ayzhia Hall, Fayetteville, Arkansas (Hopes and Dreams Gymnastics)
• Junior Olympic Nationals Qualifier (14th, Vault, 2019)    
• Level 10 Arkansas State Champion (Beam, 2019)
• Level 10 Arkansas State Champion (Vault, 2018)

A Level 10 gymnast since 2018, Ayzhia Hall finished 14th on vault at 2019 Junior Olympic Nationals, while also competing in the all-around. Hall captured a pair of Level 10 titles at the Arkansas state championships (Beam, 2019; Vault, 2018). She finished in the top five on all four events and in the all-around at the state championships in both 2018 and 2019. Hall trained at Hopes and Dreams Gymnastics in Springdale, Ark., for Coach John Davis.

"I chose Nebraska because it felt most like home," Hall said. "I like their gymnastics program and coaches, as well as what Nebraska had to offer academically."

Emma Simpton, Dallas, Texas (Metroplex Gymnastics)
• Two-Time Junior Olympic Nationals Qualifier (17th, Vault, 2019)
• Level 10 Region 3 Champion (Floor, 2019)
• Level 10 Texas State Champion (Vault, 2019; Bars, 2018; Floor, 2017)

A Level 10 gymnast since 2016, Emma Simpton brings an impressive list of accomplishments with her to the Nebraska program. Simpton finished in the top three in the all-around in all five of her competitions during the coronavirus-shortened 2020 season. A two-time J.O. Nationals qualifier who posted her top individual finish by taking 17th on vault in 2019, Simpton has been one of the top all-arounders in Texas the last four years.

Simpton trained with Metroplex Gymnastics in Dallas under coaches Marnie Futch, Gina Quinlan, Kambri Hoffman and Nikki McElroy.

"I chose Nebraska because it honestly felt like home," Simpton said. "I love the small hometown feel, and my future coaches and teammates are so nice and welcoming. I'm looking forward to the brand new gymnastics facility and getting to know the college town of Lincoln."

Halle Rourke, Waverly, Nebraska (Nebraska School of Gymnastics)
• Junior Olympic Nationals Qualifier (T20th, Floor, 2019)
• Level 9 Region 4 Champion (All-Around, Beam, Bars, 2018)

Halle Rourke joins the Huskers as a Level 10 gymnast from Waverly who has trained with the Nebraska School of Gymnastics since 2016. Rourke claimed a top-20 finish on the floor exercise at the 2019 Junior Olympic National Championships. She produced a pair of third-place finishes in the all-around and on beam at the 2019 Region 4 Championships, after also taking third on floor and bars at the 2019 Nebraska Level 10 State Championships.

Rourke, who has trained with the Nebraska School of Gymnastics since 2016, also trained under coaches Todd Crouse and Kelley Green at the Omaha Gymnastics Academy.

"I grew up watching the Huskers and dreamed of becoming a part of the program. The coaches created a welcoming environment and being on campus felt like home."

Savanah Warren, Parker, Colorado (Incline Gymnastics)
• Junior Olympic Nationals Qualifier (10th, Vault, 2019)
• Level 10 Colorado State Champion (Floor, 2019)
• Level 10 Colorado State Runner-Up (Vault, 2019)

A Level 10 gymnast from Colorado, Savanah Warren will come to Nebraska after earned a top-10 finish on vault at Junior Olympic Nationals in 2019.  She won the Colorado Level 10 state championship on floor exercise in 2019, while adding a runner-up finish on vault. Warren also posted top-eight finishes at the 2019 Region 3 meet, including third on vault, fifth on floor and seventh in the all-around. Warren trained under coaches Christi Damm and Lisa Grenier with Incline Gymnastics. 

"I chose Nebraska because of the incredible coaches who are building an amazing team and culture," Warren said. "Nebraska also has great opportunities for my major, and it felt like home because I have lots of family in Nebraska."