WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – William & Mary Women's Gymnastics Head Coach Kelsey Hinton has announced five newcomers to the program for the 2022-23 academic year. The talented incoming freshman class features Hannah Burke, Ascha Laird, Michelle Ngo, Brynn Vetrano and Lily Walker.
 
"We have five fresh faces joining our team and I couldn't be more excited!" Hinton said. "They are all from different states and will bring dynamic gymnastics while pushing our team to the potential I know it has. I look forward to getting them on campus and all moved in. We are fortunate to have the bar raised with their level of gymnastics; they will not only push our returners to excellence but will help to set new expectations for the Tribe's future. They are itching at the chance to compete and while there are only six line-up spots on each event, they have the potential to earn many of those positions. We must keep pushing towards excellence and these five understand the 'assignment'."
 
The following is a brief look at the Tribe's 2022-23 recruiting class:

 
 
Hannah Burke
Herndon, Va. (Kolbe Academy)
Capital Gymnastics NTC
 
Prep: Competed for Capital Gymnastics NTC … Four-time Level 10 State and Regional Qualifier (2019-22) … 2022 Region 7 Level 10 Alternate to DP Nationals … 2021 state champion on floor and placed second on vault … Selected to America's Top 100 for floor exercise … Regional vault champion … Member of the National Honor Society and president of the local Kappa Rho chapter … Earned Cum Laude accolades in Latin … Member of the Latin Club and Culinary Club … Competed in VA Music Festivals as a piano soloist multiple years, consecutively receiving the Excellence Award … Danced at the pre-professional level, on the Encore Performers Competition Team, and at YAGP … Volunteered with the Special Olympics gymnastics program … Personal: Daughter of Laurence and Luisa Burke … Enjoys playing the piano, dancing, reading, baking and hanging out with friends and watching movies.  

 
 
Ascha Laird
Phoenixville, Pa. (Phoenixville Area High School)
AJS Pancott NTC
 
Prep: Competed for AJS Pancott NTC … Placed third on bars at the Level 10 state meet in 2022 … Finished fourth on bars at Level 10 Regionals in 2022 … Qualifier for Eastern's in 2018 … Member of the National Honor Society and the Distinguished Honor Roll … Personal: Daughter of Andrew and Allison Laird … Enjoys going to the beach, baking, swimming and reading.

 
 
Michelle Ngo
Sacramento, Calif (Pleasant Grove High School)
Elevate Gymnastics Academy
 
Prep: Competed at Elevate Gymnastics Academic and was a team captain in 2021-22 … Developmental Program Level 10 National Qualifier in 2022 … Placed third on floor at the 2022 Level 10 NorCal State Championships … Two-time Level 10 Regional Qualifier (2021, 2022)… Level 9 State Champion on vault in 2019 … Placed second in all-around and on beam at the 2019 Level 9 NorCal State Championships … Academic All-American … Key Club Community Service Project Coordinator and Photo Historian (Bronze Level Member Recognition Award) … Member of the Vietnamese Student Association … Link Crew Leader … Ranked fourth in her high school class of 563 students … Garnered the Eagle Award, which is awarded to the top 12 well-rounded graduating seniors … California Scholarship Federation … Earned the Biliteracy Award in Spanish … Personal: Daughter of Tan Thinh and Irene Nubla Ngo … Enjoys traveling, watching the sunset and spending time with friends and family.

 
 
Brynn Vetrano
Norwell, Mass. (Norwell High School)
South Shore
 
Prep: Competed at South Shore Gymnastics Academy … Regional all-around champion in 2018 … Also a Regional Qualifier in 2021 and 2022 … Class Salutatorian … Earned Harvard Book Award … Member of the National Honor Society … Garnered Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators' Association Principal's Award … Personal: Daughter of Timothy and Anne Vetrano … Father played lacrosse at the University of New Hampshire (1987-91) … Enjoys reading, going to the beach and swimming.

 
 
Lily Walker
Mesa, Ariz. (Desert Ridge High School)
Gold Medal
 
Prep: Competed for Gold Medal Gymnastics … Level 10 State and Regional Qualifier … Placed second in all-around and floor and third on vault and beam at the state level … Graduated among the top 5 percent of her class … Earned AP Capstone Diploma … Golden Scholar all four years … Personal: Daughter of Tim and Michelle Walker … Enjoys crocheting, going thrifting, watching new shows and spending time with family and friends.