Abby Harris, a senior at Cherry Hill High School East, has officially committed to Wingate University for their Acrobatics and Tumbling team where she will start an exciting new chapter in her athletic career. Harris, a talented gymnast for many years, will be joining Wingate’s highly competitive acro and tumbling team on an academic and athletic scholarship, where she plans to pursue a degree in Nursing.
Currently training at Will-Moor Gymnastics in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, Harris has become a standout athlete, earning awards such as the New Jersey State Beam Champion and qualifying for the 2024 Level Nine Eastern Nationals. As a four-year level nine gymnast, she’s spent endless hours developing her skills, overcoming injuries and working toward her goals, all of which have prepared her for her upcoming college experience.
Harris shared, “Will-Moor is my favorite gym. The team, my best friends, my coaches—it’s like a second family to me.”
Her love for gymnastics began at two years old, when she took a Mommy and Me class at LaFleur’s Gymnastics in Florida. She continued her gymnastics journey as her family moved around, training at various gyms including Cherry Hill Gymnastics and Atlantic Coast before finding her home at Will-Moor.
Making the transition from gymnastics to acro and tumbling, Harris is eager to experience the team-oriented environment of Wingate’s Acrobatics and Tumbling program, which combines stunting and tumbling in a competitive setting. Although being a gymnast has been a huge part of her life, Harris said she prefers to pursue the team-focused approach of acro and tumbling in college.
“I didn’t know anything about it at first, but when I did a practice with the Wingate team, I really loved it. It’s more of a team sport and I like that. I’ve always loved to tumble and floor is one of my favorite events.”
At Wingate, Harris will compete in dual and tri-meets, leading up to the National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association (NCATA) national championships. The Bulldogs, who compete in NCAA Division II’s South Atlantic Conference, offer a strong program in acro and tumbling and Harris can’t wait to help her team win a national title.
Throughout her athletic career, Harris has faced significant injuries, but did not let them interfere with her path to success. In 8th grade, she broke both the ulna and radius in her forearm which resulted in a surgery requiring metal rods to be inserted. However, some complications caused the rods to grow in the wrong direction, requiring another surgery in high school to replace them with plates and screws. Despite the doctors’ uncertain prognosis, Harris never gave up on her dreams and worked hard at physical therapy to return to a high level of competitive gymnastics.
“Gymnastics has taught me everything I know. I’m proud of where I’m ending my gymnastics career,” Harris reflected. “I’ve always loved the acro programs and the new opportunities they offer.”
Wingate’s atmosphere and community are what attracted Harris the most to the school. “It’s in a really nice area, and the people and coaches were so welcoming,” she said. “The coaches really wanted me and the school has a great culture made up of athletes. I could really see myself walking on campus and feeling like I fit in.”
While competing as a tumbler and a top, an athlete who is lifted and balanced in the stunt, Harris has set ambitious goals for her college career. She hopes to perform a round-off Arabian step-out and a round-off back handspring double full which is a very complicated tumbling pass showcasing her high-level gymnastics skills. Most of all, Harris is excited about being part of a close-knit team.
“It becomes your family because you’re not with your real family. The team is your support system,” she said. “I’m looking forward to being with the team and being in a group so focused on one goal. Those people will be my family.”
Throughout her gymnastics career, Harris has been deeply inspired by her teammate Julianna Ronald, who has supported her both as an athlete and as a coach.
“Jules has always been someone I could look up to… She’s supported me through everything, both in gymnastics and outside of it,” Harris said. “She’s inspired me as an athlete and as a teacher. I teach at the gym too and everything she does motivates me.”
As she prepares for the next phase of her athletic and academic journey, Harris’ determination and enthusiasm are obvious. She is ready to make her mark at Wingate University and contribute to the success of Wingate’s Acrobatics and Tumbling team. Congratulations, Abby Harris, on your commitment to Wingate University.
