WESTFIELD — After a full year of a verbal commitment to Rutgers, Hampshire Regional senior Rachel Beaulieu was finally able to put pen to paper on Wednesday night, and cement her spot at Rutgers University.

After receiving offers from other prestigious universities, such as Towson, West Virginia, and Central Michigan, Beaulieu had her mind set and knew that she felt at home when watching the Rutgers gymnastics team compete in the Big Ten.

“I watched one of [Rutgers] meets for the first time and just the atmosphere, and the energy from the team right away got my attention,” said Beaulieu. “From then, I have been looking at them and have just been so interested.”

Beaulieu, who lives in Holyoke and currently attends Hampshire Regional, competes unattached from the high school gymnastics program. She’s competed under Roots Gymnastics in Westfield for all 12 long and hard-working years of her gymnastics career.

“Being an individual gymnast, it’s hard enough to balance as it is,” said Beaulieu. “It’s kind of a challenge to be your own support system, but I'm so thankful for every single session.”

Despite competing away from the high school program, it never got in the way of Beaulieu's goals to one day compete at the Division 1 level.

“This has definitely been one of her goals,” said Roots Gymnastics owner and team director Steve Pryor. “Getting a Division 1 college scholarship is a lot of people's goal, but it's a very challenging task. It takes not only a high talent level, but a work ethic and a nice track record of staying healthy.”

Gaining attention from Rutgers not only helped attain Beaulieu's goal, but also checked the boxes of where she plans to spend her next few years.

“Finding a college that fits me as a gymnast has been a challenge because there’s so many options out there,” said Beaulieu. “Finding the one that has the family aspect and the energy in the atmosphere, I think that’s the most important part.”

Throughout the college application process, Beaulieu said she’s been so grateful to have such a strong backbone of supporters both in and out of the gymnastics facilities.

“My family and my coaches' support all the way has been nothing but made me who I am,” said Beaulieu.

Beaulieu continues to train hard and compete under Roots Gymnastics as she simultaneously wraps up her senior year at Hampshire Regional. The countdown now begins as she awaits the next chapter of her gymnastics career – only this time as a Scarlet Knight.