WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – William & Mary Women's Gymnastics Head Coach Kelsey Hinton has announced six newcomers to the program for the 2023-24 academic year. The talented incoming group includes five freshmen – Samantha Burd, Melanie Faulkner, Madeline Frazier, Olivia Mile and Summer Penzi – and a grad transfer, Tori Sipes.
 
"I am excited to add six incoming student-athletes to our team," Hinton said. "Each individual adds a wealth of knowledge including, but not limited to, national appearances and a grad transfer who already has experience competing at the collegiate level. I am thrilled to be able to add depth to our lineups and am hopeful for the future with this new team. The incoming student-athletes are eager to make a positive impact on the school and athletics department, while enjoying the sport they love. I can't wait to get them on campus!"
 
The following is a look at the Tribe's 2023-24 incoming class:
 
 
Samantha Burd
Virginia Beach, Va. (Frank W. Cox High School)
Ocean Tumblers Gymnastics
 
Prep: Competed for Ocean Tumblers Gymnastics … Two-time Developmental Program National Qualifier … 2022 State Champion in all-around, beam and bars … 2021 State Champion on beam … Eastern Nationals Qualifier in 2019 … Member of the National Honor Society … Member of Operation Smile Club … Member of Freshman, Junior and Senior Advisory Boards … Earned the Ocean Tumbler Spirit Award for dedication and pursuit of goals … Volunteered at D-Feet Cancer events and Love Run … Personal: Daughter of Craig and Brandy Burd … Father was a member of the track & field and football teams at Marshall University … Enjoys going to the beach, hanging out with friends and baking.
 
 
Melanie Faulkner
Round Rock, Texas (iUniversity Prep)
Capital Gymnastics
 
Prep: Competed for Capital Gymnastics … National Qualifier on bars in 2023 … Placed third in the All-Star Competition … 2022 National Qualifier (Alternate Region 3) … National Qualifier on beam in 2022 … Honored as the Capital Optional Team Most Improved Gymnast twice (2019, 2022) … Chosen as the Capital Optional Team Hardest Worker in 2021 … 2012 TOPS Diamond Team … Top 10 awardee at iUniversity Prep … Member of Mu Alpha Theta and Young Leaders in Public Health and Medicine … Personal: Daughter of Gregory and Jennifer Faulkner … Enjoys reading, baking, swimming and shopping.
 
 
Madeline Frazier
Midlothian, Va. (Monacan High School)
VIGS Gymnastics
 
Prep: Competed at VIGS Gymnastics … 2023 Level 10 State Champion in all-round, beam and floor … Placed eighth on beam at Level 10 Nationals in 2022 … Finished seventh on beam at Level 10 Nationals in 2021 … Level 10 Region 7 beam champion in 2021 … Placed third on floor at Level 9 Eastern Nationals … Level 9 and 10 Most Improved Gymnast … Member of the National Honor Society, HOSA Club, French Club and Project LIT Club … Academic Honor Roll member … Earned the World History Award, French 3 Honors Academic Award and French 5 Honors Academic Award … French Poetry Reading Competition Champion in 2021 … Personal: Daughter of Steven and Laura Frazier … Enjoys figure/roller skating, reading/writing, gardening, painting/crafting, swimming and guitar … Created a Chronic Illness Advocating website … Interested in cars, animals/insects/plants, exploring, coaching (gymnastics and swimming) and community service.
 
 
Olivia Mile
Mount Sinai, N.Y. (Mount Sinai High School)
Apex Athletics
 
Prep: Competed at Apex Athletics … Four-time National Qualifier (Region 6) … 2021 regional bars champion … Member of the National Honor Society … Personal: Daughter of Joseph and Angela Mile … Sister, Delilah, plays lacrosse at the University of Albany … Enjoys going to the beach, hanging out with friends and listening to country music.  
 
 
Summer Penzi
Commack, N.Y. (Laurel Springs High School)
New Image Gymnastics
 
Prep: Competed for New Image Gymnastics … Two-time National Qualifier (2022, 2023) … Placed third in all-around, beam and floor at the 2023 Level 10 Region 6 Championships … Finished fourth in all-around and third on beam at the 2023 Level 10 NYS Championships … Placed second in all-around and on floor, as well as third on beam, at the 2022 Level 10 Region 6 Championships … Member of the National Honor Society … New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Level 6 and scored a 100 in piano and violin … Concerto competition winner on piano and violin … Concert Master, Gemini Youth Symphony Orchestra … Performed at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall on both piano and violin … Placed first at Long Island's Got Talent Competition … Applied to The Julliard School of Music at 11 years old and qualified for the second round of auditions … Personal: Daughter of Andrew and Shirley Penzi … Mother was a member of the diving team at Lehigh University … Enjoys music, piano, violin, photography, sports and cutting her own floor music for gymnastics.
 
 
Tori Sipes
Windham, N.H. (The Derryfield School)
Gym-Ken Gymnastics
 
Springfield (2019-23): Competed on vault, bars and beam …  Won the 2022 NCGA East Regional Championship on bars and was runner up on beam … Earned Springfield's MVP Award in 2020 … Springfield's Rookie of the Year in 2019 … Four-time NCGA National Pre-qualifier … WCGA Academic All-American … Student-Athlete Leadership Team Women's Gymnastics Representative on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee … One Love Springfield Founder and President … Served as Student Government Association Vice President for her class and Vice President for Finance in 2022-23 … Graduated Magna Cum Laude as a double major in finance and business management with a dual minor in social justice and honors … Prep: Competed at Gym-Ken Gymnastics … Two-time Level 10 Regional Qualifier … Four-year letterwinner in field hockey at Derryfield School … State Champion on bars, beam and all-around … Personal: Daughter of Jerry and Dayrel Sipes … Enjoys golfing … Brother, Lee, played lacrosse at Merrimack College.