CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Head coach Kim Landrus and the Fighting Illini women's gymnastics staff announced the addition of three gymnasts who will join the Illini next season. Rae Balthazor, Lindsay Dwyer and Karen Howell signed their national letters of intent on Wednesday to become a part of the Illini family.
"There is a great amount of excitement when I think about the future of Illinois gymnastics," Landrus said. "Adding Rae, Lindsay and Karen to our Illini family adds to this excitement. During the recruiting process it was evident that this trio would continue our championship culture, live by our core values, and excel both in the classroom and on the competition floor."
Rae Balthazor // Boulder, CO // Airborne Gymnastics and Dance
Notes:
2x Level 10 Regional & National Qualifier
2015 Level 10 Regionals: 2nd on floor, 4th on beam, 7th on bars, 6th on vault, 4th all-around.
2015 Level 10 State: vault, bars, beam, floor and all-around Champion
2014 Level 10 Nationals: 5th on floor
2014 Level 10 Regionals: 4th of floor, 9th all-around
2014 Level 10 State: 2nd of floor, 4th on beam, 4th all-around
Coach Landrus says: "Throughout the recruiting process, it became obvious that Rae had the athleticism that would allow her to achieve greatness. Each time I watched Rae do gymnastics, it was apparent she was a very talented athlete who had not yet reached her potential. She visited Champaign and immediately you knew her personality would make her a great teammate. Then, when I visited her in Colorado, it confirmed everything. I could not help but smile thinking of her in Orange and Blue. Rae immediately knew it was the right fit as well and committed shortly after. She has an abundant amount of love for gymnastics and cannot wait to start her college career. I am elated to officially make her an Illini today."
Why Balthazor chose Illinois: "Illinois being a top Big Ten academic institution with a highly regarded gymnastics program drew me to it. Upon my first visit, the warmth and acceptance of everyone in both athletics and campus communities solidified my decision. I am beyond excited to become a part of the Illini family."
What Balthazor enjoyed most on her visit to Illinois: "I enjoyed hanging out with the girls, getting more time to walk around the beautiful campus and getting to know my future teammates better."
Lindsay Dwyer // Glen Cove, NY // GMGC Huntington
Notes:
3x Level 10 Regional & National Qualifier
2015 Level 10 Regionals: 1st all-around, 1st on bars, 1st on floor
2015 Level 10 State: 2nd all-around, 1st on bars, 2nd on floor
2014 Level 10 Regionals: 2nd all-around, 1st on Bars, 5th on vault
2014 Level 10 State: 2nd all-around, 2nd on bars, 2nd on floor
2013 Level 10 Regionals: 2nd all-around, 1st on bars, 3rd on floor, 3rd on beam
2013 Level 10 State: 1st all-around, 2nd on bars, 2nd on floor
2013 Level 9 Eastern National Championships: 7th all-around, 2nd on vault, 3rd on floor
Coach Landrus says: "I met Lindsay for the first time in July after her freshman year. Shortly after her visit, I remember her telling me that we were her number one choice. Her strong work ethic and persistence to excel were two qualities that aligned well with our culture here at Illinois. Academically she is a model student and athletically she has the consistency and passion for success. These attributes will allow Lindsay to make a strong impact on our program. As I think back over the past three years, welcoming her into our family today has a special feel."
Why Dwyer chose Illinois: "I chose Illinois for its strength in both academics and athletics. When I first visited the school, I loved the campus and the people. The gym had a great energy and I knew I wanted to be a part of it."
What Dwyer enjoyed most on her visit to Illinois: "I enjoyed being with the team. They were so welcoming and fun. I was always surrounded by great people at Illinois, which makes me feel so comfortable knowing I have a family for my next four years."
Karen Howell // Sterling Heights, Michigan // Olympia Gymnastics Academy
Notes:
3x Level 10 Regional & National Qualifier
2015 Level 10 J.O. National Bar Champion
2015 Level 10 Nationals: 5th all-around, 3rd on beam
2015 Level 10 Regionals: 3rd on vault, 3rd on floor
2015 Level 10 State: 3rd all-around, 2nd on bars, 3rd on beam and floor
2014 Level 10 Nationals: 4th on bars
2014 Level 10 Regionals: 4th all-around, 2nd on bars and floor, 3rd on beam
2014 Level 10 State: Floor Champion, 3rd all-around and vault
2013 Level 10 Nationals: 12th all-around
2013 Level 10 Regional Bar Champion
2013 Level 10 Regionals: 3rd on floor
2013 Level 10 State: 3rd on bars
2012 Level 9 Eastern National All Around Champion
Coach Landrus says: "Karen possesses all the qualities that we look for during the recruiting process. She places a high level of importance on academic achievement and excels as a gymnast on all four events. This combination will allow her to come in next year and exemplify what it means to be a true student-athlete. I am thrilled that she is part of the 2015 signing class! Her accomplishments thus far in the sport are great and I am certain that she will have many more in her future. Her consistency and poise will allow her to make an immediate impact on our program. Karen excels on all four events and I look forward to seeing her "make her mark" at Illinois."
Why Howell chose Illinois: "I chose Illinois because I really liked the balance between academics and athletics, and I thought the campus was beautiful. I also really loved how the coaches and team made me feel like I was part of a family."
What Howell enjoyed most on her visit to Illinois: "My favorite part from my visit was spending time with the gymnasts, and doing all of the team activities."
"In closing, Rae, Lindsay and Karen will complement each other as they begin their Illini careers in a little less than a year," Landrus said. "Together they understand the goals of winning a Big Ten Championship and appearing at NCAA Nationals every year. I am confident that they will jump 'on board' immediately to make these goals a reality."
