PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania's new head gymnastics coach, Kirsten Becker, has announced her recruiting class for the upcoming 2021 season. Six women—Kiersten Belkoff, Connie Hsu, sisters Ana and Sara Kenefick, Kristen Kuhn, and Campbell Marr—will join the Quakers' gymnastics roster this season as freshmen.
 
"I am excited to officially welcome this group of young women to the Penn Gymnastics family," said Becker, a former Penn gymnast who takes the reins after five seasons as the program's top assistant coach. "Collectively, they are strong across all four events and bring a combination of power, elegance, competitiveness and positive energy that I am excited to watch in action within our team dynamic and on the collegiate stage. I have truly enjoyed getting to know each student-athlete over the last two years and know their determination will help our team continue to improve and reach new heights."
 
Penn won the Ivy Classic last year for the 13th time in program history, before the ECAC Championships were canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak.
 
 
KIERSTEN BELKOFF
Freshman
Tucson, Ariz. | Catalina Foothills
Club Gym: Arizona Dynamics Gymnastics
 
High School: 2019 regional qualifier, and finished in the top three on floor … finished in the top three at the 2019 Arizona State Championships … member of the winning team at the 2019 Arizona State Championships … Finished in the top three at the 2019 Arizona Valley of the Sun Challenge.
 
Personal: Daughter of Sandy Stein and Ken Belkoff … Sister, Corinne, competed for Arizona State … Sister, Alexis, competed for Sacramento State … Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Why Penn? "The first time I visited Penn's campus it immediately felt like I was meant to be there. I also really wanted to go to a school where there was a strong focus on academics as well as athletics, which is why Penn was the perfect choice for me!"
 
 
CONNIE HSU
Freshman
Franklin, Tenn. | Franklin
Club Gym: Let It Shine Gymnastics
 
High School: 2018 and 2019 Junior Olympic Level 10 National qualifier … 2020 Ozone gymnast of the year … Finished third all-around at 2019 regionals … 2019 Tennessee bars and all-around state champion … 2018 Tennessee beam state champion, runner up on bars, floor, and in all-around … Finished first place on bars, beam, floor, and all-around at 2020 Gasparilla Classic … National Merit Finalist … Mu Alpha Theta member.
 
Personal: Daughter of Qing Wang and Frank Hsu … Enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences.
 
Why Penn? "The support system you have coming in even before arriving on campus is phenomenal. The team had my back from day one. I just woke up one day after visiting Philly and knew Penn was the place I wanted to be."
 
 
ANA KENEFICK
Freshman
Charlotte, N.C. | Charlotte Latin School
Club Gym: Perfect Balance Training Center
 
High School: 2018 and 2019 Level 10 Junior Olympic National qualifier … Finished fourth all-around at 2018 regionals … 2017 regional qualifier … National AP Scholar … AP Scholar with distinction … Cum Laude Society member … Spanish National Honors Society.
 
Personal: Daughter of Chris and Joy Kenefick … Sister, Sara, is also a member of the gymnastics team at Penn … Enrolled in School of Engineering and Applied Science.
 
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because I felt at home with the team. Both the coaches and the women made me feel so welcome, and l could tell that they treated each other with the same warmth and kindness."
 
 
SARA KENEFICK
Freshman
Charlotte, N.C. | Charlotte Latin School
Club Gym: Perfect Balance Training Center
 
High School: 2019 Level 10 Junior Olympic National qualifier … Finished first on floor at 2018 regionals … Finished second on floor at 2017 regionals … 2018 and 2019 America's Top 100 on floor … Bausch and Lomb Award recipient … Cum Laude Society member … Spanish National Honors Society … Headmaster's List … Scholastic Writing Competition Gold Key recipient.
 
Personal: Daughter of Chris and Joy Kenefick … Sister, Ana, is also a member of the gymnastics team at Penn … Enrolled in School of Engineering and Applied Science.
 
Why Penn? "If I had to narrow it down to one reason for 'Why Penn?' it would be the balance of academics and athletics that Penn offers. I love that I can be part of the amazing UPG family while being able to take interesting and rigorous courses."
 
 
KRISTEN KUHN
Freshman
San Mateo, Calif. | Castilleja School
Club Gym: Accel Gymnastics
 
High School: 2017 Level 10 Junior Olympic National qualifier … Finished in the top seven on bars, beam, and in all-around at 2017 regionals … Finished second on beam at 2020 Judges Cup … Finished second on bars at SVOD Open Amsterdam elite competition … Finished fourth on bars at the 2017 NorCal state championships … Won Hardest Worker award … AP Scholar with Honors.
 
Personal: Daughter of Jennifer and Philip Kuhn … Enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences.
 
Why Penn? "From the moment I set foot on campus, I knew that Penn was the perfect place for me. The unique and rigorous curriculum provides the opportunity to explore everything that I am passionate about, and being a part of the Penn gymnastics community allows me to continue my athletic career at the highest level with the most supportive, dedicated and inspiring group of women. Penn provides every opportunity to progress as both a student and an athlete that I could wish for, and I cannot wait to see what is in store for the next four years."
 
 
CAMPBELL MARR
Freshman
Newtown Square, Pa. | The Baldwin School
Club Gym: First State Gymnastics
 
High School: 2019 Level 10 National Qualifier, placing in the top 10 on beam … Finished third on bars, fourth on beam, and fifth all-around at 2019 regionals … Finished first place on beam at the 2020 Excalibur Cup … Senior Math Award winner … Senior Head of Girls Learn International.
 
Personal: Daughter of Kathleen and Christopher Marr … Sister, McCaleigh, also a member of the gymnastics team at Penn … Enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences.
 
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because I have the opportunity to compete as a Division 1 athlete while also receiving a top-tier education. I fell in love with Penn the minute I set foot on campus, and I am so glad to be a Penn Quaker!"