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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois women's gymnastics head coach Nadalie Walsh announced on Friday that three student-athletes have signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Illinois. Arayah Simons and Mia Townes will join the Illini for the 2019-20 campaign, while Grace Hester plans to enroll early at UI and compete during the 2019 season.

"We're excited to welcome Grace, Arayah, and Mia to the Illini women's gymnastics family," said Walsh. "They are very experienced gymnasts that have been on the Junior Olympic National stage multiple times, along with experience on podium at high-level invitationals. This class will elevate the program to new heights as we continue to climb the national rankings."

"When I was at my previous institution, I started recruiting Grace (Hester) and Mia (Townes) at a young age and the relationship seamlessly transferred when I started at Illinois, noted Walsh. "They bought into my culture and vision so much that they set higher standards and goals for their competitive and college careers."

Grace Hester | All-Around
Hattiesburg, Miss. | Oak Grove High School
MS Rebounders | Coached by Sean Gardner and Candi Workman

• Eight-time Region 8 Regional Qualifier
• Six-time Mississippi State All-Around champion
• Three-time Mississippi Level 10 State Bar champion
• Two-time Mississippi Level 10 State Beam champion
• 2018 Region 8 Level 10 Regionals: 3rd on Bars
• 2018 Mississippi Level 10 States: Vault, Bars, Beam, and All-Around champion
• 2018 Elevate the Stage (Hoover, Ala.): Bars, Beam, and All-Around champion; runner-up on Vault
• 2017 Mississippi Level 10 States: Top-three in all events including winning the all-around and bars.
• 2017 Elevate the Stage (Birmingham, Ala.): 3rd on Beam and 2nd in All-Around
• 2016 Mississippi Level 10 States: Bars, Beam, Floor, and All-Around champion
• 2015 Level 9 Eastern National qualifier

WATCH: Vault | Bars | Beam | Floor

Head Coach Walsh on Grace: "We are elated that Grace (Hester) has made the commitment and decision to not only come to the program, but to graduate early. She has put in so much work and effort to be able to get here sooner because she feels really passionate about being part of this Illini family. Her gymnastics is well developed with high-level skills on every single event and long lines and extension that make her a pretty gymnast to watch. I think she will make an immediate impact, especially in our bars line up."

Why she chose Illinois: "I believe the UI is a unique place. From my first visit, the bond I formed with all of the girls and coaches is indescribable and I knew in my heart that I wanted to be an Illini. I am beyond excited to be a part of such a supportive, encouraging, and loving family. It is truly a special place."

Favorite part about her visit: "The whole visit was such a fun experience that it is hard to pick a favorite part, but I would say that getting to know the personality of the girls and seeing how closely bonded they were as a team both inside and outside of the gym made me even more excited to be a part of such a special family."

Arayah Simons | All-Around
Richmond Hill, Ga. | North Oconee High School
Georgia Elite Gymnastics | Coached by Pete Arenas

• Two-time Level 10 Junior Olympic National qualifier
• 2018 Level 10 Junior Olympic Nationals: 4th on Beam, 6th on Vault, 8th in All-Around, and 2nd with Team
• 2018 Region 8 Level 10 Regionals: 3rd on Floor, 4th on Beam, 5th on Vault, and 6th in All-Around
• 2018 Georgia Level 10 States: Vault, Floor, and Beam champion
• 2018 Elevate the Stage (Augusta, Ga.): Top-three in all events including winning the all-around and beam.
• 2017 Region 8 Level 10 Regionals: Beam champion and 4th on Vault
• 2017 Georgia Level 10 States: Runner-up on Vault and 4th on Floor
• 2016 Region 8 Level 10 Regionals: 3rd on Floor
• 2015 Level 10 Junior Olympic Nationals: 7th on Floor
• 2015 Region 8 Level 10 Regionals: 4th in All-Around, 5th on Bars, and 9th on Beam
• 2015 Georgia Level 10 States: Vault and Floor champion and 3rd in All-Around

WATCH: Vault | Bars | Beam | Floor

Head Coach Walsh on Arayah: "When Arayah (Simons) verbally committed to Illinois, she was on the rise with her gymnastics. After switching clubs, she has exploded onto the national scene with her dynamic and powerful skills. We are excited to have her because her routines are up to par with some of the best programs in the country."

Why she chose Illinois: "I chose Illinois because the coaching staff conveyed how much potential they recognized in my ability early on in the process and feel like this is the best place for me to grow. My choice was clear after meeting everyone on the team, as well as touring the campus. I am excited to be a member of this team and cannot wait to contribute as well as compete under the mindset that 'if excellence is a possibility, then good is not good enough.'"

Favorite part about her visit: "My favorite part about the visit was definitely meeting all the girls on the team and making a connection with my future teammates. I also really enjoyed the football game and being on the campus."

Mia Townes | All-Around
Pflugerville, Texas | Hendrickson High School
Crenshaw Athletic Club | Coached by Adam Miller, Helen Miller, and Sharon Bunch

• Two-time Level 10 Junior Olympic National qualifier
• 2018 Level 10 Junior Olympic Nationals: 4th on Beam, 4th on Floor, 7th in All-Around, and 3rd with Team
• 2018 Region 3 Level 10 Regionals: Vault champion and 4th in All-Around
• 2018 Texas Level 10 States: Vault, Beam, and All-Around champion; 2nd on Bars and Floor
• 2017 Level 10 Junior Olympic Nationals: 7th on Vault and 1st with Team
• 2016: Five-time all-around champion at five level 10 invitationals, including Nastia Liukin Cup qualifier, Pikes Peak Cup.
• 2015 Junior Olympic Level 10 NIT qualifier
• 2015 Texas Level 10 States: 3rd on Vault

WATCH: Vault | Bars | Beam | Floor

Head Coach Walsh on Mia: "Gymnastics is very easy for Mia (Townes). She is coming in with a 10.000 start value on vault and has been a beam worker in club that scores 9.800s. Her start value on vault will make an immediate impact on our lineup, which is outstanding for our program."

Why she chose Illinois: "I choose Illinois because it felt like home immediately. When you walk into the gym the culture is indescribable. Everyone on the team exudes love for gymnastics and competition. cannot wait to get on campus and show my love for the sport? and be a part of something special."

Favorite part about her visit: "My favorite part about my official visit was staying up late and getting up early with my future teammates. We could not get enough of each other! Those memories will last forever."

"Arayah (Simons) and Mia (Townes) are both experienced, powerful, and have high-level skills," said Walsh. "Both have already scored college scores in club, which is a lot harder to do. They are the type of gymnasts that are consistent and go four-for-four every time. We will not have to teach them to compete, they expect to compete well themselves."

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