CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Head coach Nadalie Walsh and the Illinois women's gymnastics team announced the addition of Mia Takekawa, Olivia O'Donnell, Julia Waight, and Maggie Lampsa to the roster for the impending 2020 campaign on Thursday afternoon. The foursome cements a Fighting Illini class that saw early enrollee, Grace Hester, and Junior Olympic (JO) National Qualifiers, Arayah Simons and Mia Townes, sign their National Letter of Intent (NLI) in November. Meanwhile, Alexandria "Lexi" Powe signed her NLI in January.

"I am excited for these young ladies to join the Fighting Illini team," said head coach Nadalie Walsh. "We are happy to have three Illinois natives come into the program with Maggie (Lampsa), Olivia (O'Donnell), and Julia (Waight). It is great that some of the Chicago area athletes who have been doing well and are successful want to join us for their collegiate career."

Mia Takekawa | All-Around
Sacramento, Calif. | Mira Loma High School
Byers Roseville Gymnastics Center | Coached by Rhonda Hawkins, Elisha Adrian, and Cassie Benning

ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Four-time Level 10 Junior Olympic National qualifier (2016-19)
• 2019 Region 1 Level 10 Regionals: Beam champion, 3rd in All-Around, and 5th on bars and floor
• 2019 NorCal Level 10 States: Bars and floor champion, 2nd in All-Around, 3rd on Beam, and 4th on Vault
• 2018 Level 10 Junior Olympic Nationals: 6th on Beam, 9th on Floor, and 2nd with Team
• 2018 Region 1 Level 10 Regionals: 2nd on Vault, Bars, and Floor and 3rd in All-Around
• 2018 NorCal Level 10 States: Bars champion
• 2017 Level 10 Junior Olympic Nationals: 2nd on Bars, 6th on Beam, and 7th in All-Around
• 2017 Region 1 Level 10 Regionals: Bars champion, 3rd on Beam and in All-Around, and 8th on Floor
• 2017 NorCal Level 10 States: 2nd on Floor and 3rd on Bars
• 2016 Level 10 Junior Olympic Nationals: Beam and Team Champion
• 2016 Region 1 Level 10 Regionals: Bars champion, 5th on Beam, and 7th in All-Around
• 2016 NorCal Level 10 States: 2nd on Bars, Beam, and in All-Around

ACADEMIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• 4.0 Unweighted GPA all 4 years of high school
• 4.6 Weighted GPA
• Seal of Biliteracy (Spanish)
• International Baccalaureate student
• Corporate-Sponsored National Merit Scholarship Winner

WATCH: 2019 California Grand Invite | 2018 Roseville Invite | 2017 JO Nationals | 2017 Region 1 Level 10 Regionals

Personal Bests	Vault	Bars	Beam	Floor	All-Around
Level 10	9.700	9.750	9.775	9.725	38.750

Head Coach Walsh on Mia: "We have been impressed with her all along. Mia (Takekawa) had an outstanding season, especially her all-around scores and qualifying scores to J.O. Nationals. She also has unique upgraded dismounts on beam and is a very clean athlete. We are proud to see her represent the Orange and Blue for next season."

Why she chose Illinois: "I chose Illinois because the atmosphere of the team and the school seemed like such a good fit for me. Champaign is very different from where I grew up and I was ready to branch out!"

Favorite part about her visit: "My favorite part of my visit was hanging out in the dorms after the football game and seeing the friendships between the athletes there. I couldn't wait to be a part of a community like that!"

Julia Waight | All-Around
Naperville, Ill. | Benet Academy
Phenom Gymnastics | Coached by Marco Bravo and Jessica Holtz

ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• 2016 and 2019 Level 10 Junior Olympic National qualifier
• 2019 Region 5 Level 10 Regionals: 8th in All-Around, 9th on Floor, and 10th on Vault and Beam
• 2019 Illinois Level 10 States: 4th in All-Around, 5th on Beam and Floor, and 6th on Vault
• 2018 Region 5 Level 10 Regionals: 9th on Floor
• 2018 Illinois Level 10 States: Bars Champion, 3rd in All-Around, 4th on Vault, and 5th on Floor
• 2016 Level 10 Junior Olympic Nationals: Team Champion
• 2016 Region 5 Level 10 Regionals: 7th on Bars, Floor, and in All-Around
• 2016 Illinois Level 10 States: 3rd on Bars and 4th on Vault

ACADEMIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• National Honor Society Member
• Illinois State Scholar
• First or Second Honor Roll every semester

WATCH: Vault | Bars | Beam | Floor

Personal Bests	Vault	Bars	Beam	Floor	All-Around
Level 10	9.775	9.525	9.525	9.450	37.525

Head Coach Walsh on Julia: "She is a powerhouse with unique tumbling passes and does well on every event. I am excited to bring her bouncy power into the program."

Why she chose Illinois: "Illinois was the first school I visited, and I loved the campus. When I was blessed with an offer to be a member of the Illinois gymnastics team, I was thrilled to have an opportunity to attend a Big Ten school with an outstanding academic reputation, a great campus atmosphere, and an amazing team!"

Favorite part about her visit: "Not only did I enjoy watching an intrasquad, but I loved meeting and getting to know the Illini women's gymnastics team! I liked spending an afternoon as a college student, talking with the girls, and hanging out in the dorm."

Olivia O'Donnell | All-Around
Evanston, Ill. | Evanston Township High School
IK Gymnastics | Coached by Irina Kudina

ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Two-time Level 10 Junior Olympic National Qualifier
• 2019 Region 5 Level 10 Regionals: 6th in All-Around, 8th on Floor, and 9th on Beam
• 2019 Illinois Level 10 States: 4th on Bars, 7th in All-Around, and 8th on Vault
• 2019 Sand Dollar/Whitlow Invitational: Vault Champion, 2nd on Floor, and 3rd on Bars and in All-Around
• 2018 Region 5 Level 10 Regionals: 9th on Bars
• 2018 Illinois Level 10 States: 5th on Bars, Beam, and in All-Around and 8th on Vault
• 2018 Magical Classic: 2nd on Bars and 3rd on Vault and Beam
• 2017 IGI Chicago Style: Beam, Floor, and All-Around Champion, 2nd on Bars, and 3rd on Vault
• 2015 Level 9 Eastern Nationals: 4th on Vault and Bars and 7th in All-Around
• 2015 Level 9 Eastern National qualifier

ACADEMIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• High School Honor Roll Member
• National Honors Society Member

WATCH: Vault | Bars | Beam | Floor

Personal Bests	Vault	Bars	Beam	Floor	All-Around
Level 10	9.575	9.500	9.550	9.500	37.675

Head Coach Walsh on Olivia: "Olivia (O'Donnell) injured her knee this past April and will have to sit out next season. She is a stud on all four events, particularly on beam and bars. We will be preserving her, so we can bring her back in full force for the following season."

Why she chose Illinois: "Because of its strong academic and gymnastics program. The coaches and girls were so welcoming, and I felt like I fit in great with the team. I automatically felt at home on campus."

Favorite part about her visit: "I loved spending time and getting to know all the girls on the team. They are all so nice and have such a great bond. I can't wait to experience that soon!"

Maggie Lampsa | All-Around
Downers Grove, Ill. | Downers Grove North High School
Legacy Elite Gymnastics | Coached by Jiani Wu, Anna Li, and Yuejiu Li

ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Five-time Region 5 Regional Qualifier
• Participated in six Nastia Liukin Cup qualifiers – 2019 Presidential Classic, 2019 Buckeye Classic, 2019 Legacy Elite Classic, 2018 WOGA Classic, 2018 Arizona Sunrays Classic Rock Invitational, and 2018 CGA Coaches' Spectacular
• 2019 Region 5 Level 10 Regionals: 8th on Vault
• 2019 Illinois Level 10 States: 6th on Vault, 7th on Bars, and 8th on Floor and in the All-Around
• 2019 Legacy Elite Classic: 2nd on Bars, Beam, and in All-Around
• 2018 Illinois Level 10 States: 5th on Vault, 6th on Floor, and 7th in All-Around
• 2018 CGA Coaches' Spectacular: 2nd on Bars and in All-Around
• 2017 Region 5 Level 10 Regionals: 5th on Bars
• 2016 Illinois Level 9 States: Bars Champion

ACADEMIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Honor Roll Student
• National Spanish Honor Society

WATCH: Vault | Bars | Beam | Floor

Personal Bests	Vault	Bars	Beam	Floor	All-Around
Level 10	9.650	9.250	9.425	9.350	36.950

Head Coach Walsh on Olivia: "Also a powerful gymnast, Maggie (Lampsa), she is going to bring some great vaulting and bars potential for the Orange and Blue."

Why she chose Illinois: "Because of its strong academic and gymnastics program. The coaches and girls were so welcoming, and I felt like I fit in great with the team. I automatically felt at home on campus."

Favorite part about her visit: "I loved spending time and getting to know all the girls on the team. They are all so nice and have such a great bond. I can't wait to experience that soon!"

The squad is coming off a 2019 campaign that saw the Illini take second at the Big Ten Championships and make their 32nd NCAA Regional appearance in a new regional format.

"They all have some great personalities and will fit in with the team right away," noted Walsh.

Follow the Illini

Stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com for all the latest information on Fighting Illini Women's Gymnastics. Follow the Orange and Blue on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for complete coverage.