Nelligan Inks Trio of Gymnasts As Part of 2024 Recruiting Class

COLLEGE PARK, MD — On Wednesday's National Signing Day, the University of Maryland gymnastics team signed three members of the 2024 signing class, as head coach Brett Nelligan brought four-star recruit Sarah Saville, three-star commit Rayna Engelmayer and Nicollette Crochet into the fold for next year's squad. All three gymnasts have excelled at the high school and club level, winning several competitions throughout their careers.

Sarah saville

Phoenixville, PA
Renaissance Academy Charter School // Aerials Gymnastics

Before Maryland: Sarah Saville joins the Maryland gymnastics roster as a four-star recruit who has been a standout at both the high school and club level in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Saville excelled as a part of the USA Gymnastics Development Program, competing twice at Nationals. At the 2022 Nationals, Saville notched a fifth-place all-around finish while earning a runner-up finish on beam. In 2023, she followed up her performance by taking sixth place on bars at the event.

At 2023 Region 7 competition, Saville won the all-around competition after she was named an All-Star the year prior. In high school competition, Saville won the 2022 PIAA all-around state championship.

As a student, Saville ranks fifth in her class at Renaissance Academy Charter School while receiving High Honors Roll and participating in National Honors Society. Outside of the classroom, she has volunteered in Costa Rica for an educational service trip, where she helped with donations to Red Cross, schools, orphanages and participated in volunteer work. She has also headed a donation drive for Phoenixville's Womens Outreach organization.

Sarah Saville: "I chose UMD because of the genuinely welcoming environment from the coaches and team. They offer amazing resources, a highly-ranked educational program, and have a beautiful campus. I truly feel like they want the best for their athletes and will set them up for a successful future!"

Head coach Brett Nelligan: "Sarah is the complete package and a ferocious competitor on all four events, winning is in her DNA. She has a multitude of "E" level difficulty skills to choose from and will compete for lineup spots on all four events right away."

rayna Engelmayer

Hugo, MN
White Bear Lake High School // Flips Gymnastics

Before Maryland: Rayna Engelmayer travels from the Twin Cities to join Maryland gymnastics as a three-star recruit who has thrived on the national stage. She has competed at Nationals twice, securing a fourth-place result on beam in 2023. At Regionals, Engelmayer has won two different events, topping the podium on beam in 2021 then on bars in 2022. In 2023, she earned a second-place all-around finish at the event. She has also represented her family heritage as a member of the Austrian National Team.

Outside of the gym, Engelmayer is a recipient of the President's Award from White Bear Lake High School and is a member of the school's National Honors Society chapter. She has volunteered at a local elementary school each of the last two years and has led service projects in her community.

Rayna Engelmayer: "The moment I stepped on campus, It immediately felt like home. I fell in love with the coaches, team, and the family feel. To top it off, the campus is beautiful, in a great location and has amazing academics. "

Head coach Brett Nelligan: "Rayna has high level difficulty on all four events and her bars and beam routines are jammed packed with elite level skills. Rayna's time with the Austrian national team will serve her well as she shines on competition days."

nicollette Crochet

Monmouth Beach, NJ
Shore Regional High School // MG Elite

Before Maryland: Coming in from Monmouth Beach, NJ, Nicollette Crochet has thrived as one of the best high school gymnasts in the state. She is an 11-time New Jersey state champion and holds two high school records in the state. She also won a beam national championship in 2019.

At school, Crochet is a High Honor Roll student, and in the community, she has volunteered at a local parish center to support homeless families and children. During her summers, she spent has spent time coaching youth gymnastics in her community.

Nicollette Crochet: "I chose the University of Maryland not only because of its incredible gymnastics team, but it also has outstanding academics, a great location, and it immediately felt like home when I visited. On top of all of that, the culture and environment that the coaches and gymnasts of Maryland's gymnastics program have created is exactly what I was looking for in a college team.."

Head coach Brett Nelligan: "Nicollette does the type of gymnastics that takes your breath away. It's graceful and elegant, as she makes the most challenging skills love effortless. Judges and fans alike will be in awe of her poise and polish."

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