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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Illinois women's gymnastics head coach Kim Landrus announced the addition of three gymnasts to the 2017-2018 Fighting Illini team on Thursday morning.  Nicole Biondi, Grace Gough and Kylie Noonan each signed national letters of intent to join the Fighting Illini women's gymnastics program.

"I am thrilled to have these three signees officially join our Illini family today," Landrus said. "Illinois Gymnastics will gain a combination of grace and power as each of them will bring different strengths to the program.  During their visit to campus, their personalities meshed extremely well from the minute they saw each other.  Watching the three interact throughout the weekend and create an instant bond reaffirmed that this class will make a significant impact to our program not only gymnastically, but by exemplifying the true meaning of "student-athlete" on a daily basis."

Nicole Biondi // Townsend, Mass. // 10.0 Academy of Gymnastics

Gymnastic Accomplishments:

• Four-time Level 10 National Qualifier (2013, 14, 15, 16)
• 2016 Level 10 National Bars Champion
• 2016 Level 10 National: 5^th place in All-Around, Vault and Floor
• 2016 Level 10 Region 6: All-Around, Vault, Bars, Beam and Floor Champion
• 2016 Level 10 State Vault and Floor Champion; 2^nd place in All-Around
• 2015 Level 10 National: 2nd place on Floor
• 2015 Level 10 Region 6 Bars Champion
• 2015 Level 10 Region 6: 2nd place in All-Around and on Floor
• 2015 Level 10 State: All-Around, Bars and Beam Champion
• 2015 Level 10 State: 2nd place on Floor
• 2013 Level 10 National Floor Champion
• 2013 Level 10 National: 2nd place on Vault
• 2013 Level 10 Region 6: 3rd place in All-Around
• 2013 Level 10 Region 6 Vault Champion

Why Biondi chose Illinois: "I chose the University of Illinois because of its successful and respected women's gymnastics program, Coach Landrus, her great staff, and the school's reputation for academic excellence across a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs.  I also like the fact that the campus has a large student population yet provides a close knit and friendly environment that is very welcoming."    

What Biondi enjoyed most on her visit to Illinois: "I really enjoyed the quality time I got to spend with the coaches, team and other recruits.  They made me feel like I was a part of the Illini 'family'.  Also, talking to advisors from the College of Applied Health Sciences helped me to reinforce my academic interests and my decision to pursue a major in i-Health.  Finally, I enjoyed the chance to experience the atmosphere of a great campus and community that feels like 'home'."

What Landrus says: "Nicole is an extremely talented athlete on all four events.  In 2016, she finished 5^th nationally in the all-around and was the Junior Olympic Bar Champion.  She is a true all-arounder with the difficulty and consistency that top level athletes display.  Her bubbly personality and passion for the sport will bring an enthusiasm to our team that will be contagious.  With early recruiting, this day has been long-awaited and I am so excited it is finally here and we made it official that she will compete for the Orange and Blue."

Grace Gough // Indianapolis, Ind. // Jaycie Phelps Athletic Center

Gymnastic Accomplishments:

• Three-time National Qualifier (2014, 15, 16)
• 2016 Level 10 Region V: 3rd on Bars, 3rd on Floor, 3rd All-Around
• 2016 Level 10 State: 6th on Vault, 2nd on Bars, 4th on Floor, 4th All-Around
• 2015 Level 10 Region V: 5th on Vault, 3rd on Floor, 7th All-Around
• 2015 Level 10 State: 6th on Beam, 4th on Floor, 6th All-Around
• 2014 Level 10 Region V: 6th on Vault, 2nd on Beam, 6th on Floor, 7th All-Around
• 2014 Level 10 State: 2nd on Floor, 5th All-Around

Why Gough chose Illinois: "I chose Illinois because of its emphasis on excelling in both athletics and academics. The campus is beautiful and the team and coaches are very welcoming. I'm so excited to become a part of the Illini family."

What Gough enjoyed most on her visit to Illinois: "My favorite part from my visit was hanging out with the girls on the team, doing all the team activities and getting to know my future teammates better."

What Landrus says: "Grace is quiet in nature, but big in heart.  She has enjoyed a great amount of experience on the national stage as a three-time Junior Olympic national qualifier.  She continues our tradition of recruiting top level Region V athletes as she hails from Indianapolis, Indiana.  She will be looked upon to contribute on all four events and I am confident her grace and beauty will be a trademark as an Illini!"

Kylie Noonan // Vadnais Heights, Minn. // Midwest Gymnastics

Gymnastic Accomplishments:

• Three-time National Qualifier (2014, 15, 16)

• 2016 Level 10 National Beam Champion
• 2016 Level 10 Nationals: 7th on Floor and 12th All-Around
• 2016 Level 10 Regional Beam Champion
• 2016 Level 10 Region IV Regionals: 3rd on Vault, 3rd on Bars, 2nd on Floor, 3rd All-Around
• 2016 Level 10 State: 5th on Floor, 4th on Beam, 4th on Floor, 4^th in All-Around
• 2015 Level 10 Nationals: 12th on Beam, 9th on Floor
• 2015 Level 10 Region IV Regionals: 3rd on Vault, 5th All-Around
• 2014 Level 10 Regional Floor Champion
• 2014 Level 10 Region IV Regionals: 3rd on Beam, 5th All-Around

Why Noonan chose Illinois: "I was looking for a balance between strong academic and athletic programs, and Illinois has exactly that.  I immediately loved the campus and the overall atmosphere of Illinois. I am so honored and excited to become a part of the Illini family."

What Noonan enjoyed most on her visit to Illinois: "I enjoyed being able to meet all of my future teammates and experiencing the amazing campus. Everyone was so welcoming, and I had a great time hanging out with the team."

What Landrus says: "From the very beginning, it was evident that Kylie felt something "special" about the University of Illinois.  That feeling became mutual as I knew shortly after we met that she had many intangibles that "make a difference".  She places of great deal of importance on making sure everything she does, both academically and athletically, she does 100%.  She is a three-time national qualifier that earned three top 12 finishes in 2016, including becoming the Junior Olympic National beam champion.  I look forward to seeing how she makes her stamp on the Illini program during her collegiate career!"

"Nicole, Grace and Kylie will make an instant impact on our program," Landrus said. "I am confident that their personalities, along with the high standards they set for themselves, will push not only each other, but everyone around them.  The combination of talent and a competitive nature, along with great character and core values will allow them to make a difference immediately.  I am confident they will embrace challenges as they arise and will continue to build on our previous successes."

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