Walsh Pens Two Signees to 2024 Signing Class

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois women's gymnastics head coach Nadalie Walsh announced two signees – Eden King (San Mateo, Calif.) and Kennedy Brown (Odenton, Md.) – for the 2025 season on Friday. 

Eden King | Vault/Floor | Club: San Mateo Gymnastics

King is currently the reigning state, regional and national vault champion, as well as a two-time Junior Olympics national qualifier. 

Along with being a team captain at San Mateo Gymnastics for three years, King has also won the 2023 NorCal Holly Balber-Kemp Memorial Award for Outstanding Performance and Sportsmanship.

She chose Illinois because of "the incredible academic programs and resources the school has to offer and the chance to be a part of such a close team environment that truly feels like a family. The coaches and support staff are also extremely encouraging and supportive of each athlete, both in and out of the gym, and will help me to grow and thrive as a student-athlete and person!"

Kennedy Brown | Vault/Floor | Club: Docksiders Gymnastics

Brown has loaded experience in the Level 10 competitive environment from being a four-time Level 10 national qualifier. She was also the 2019 Level 9 Easterns all-around and bars champion.

She has an explosive 10.0 start value that placed her fourth on vault at USAG DP Nationals.  

She chose Illinois because "the minute I stepped onto campus, everyone was so welcoming and made me feel a part of the Illini family. I knew immediately that the coaching staff had my back 100% and wanted to see me succeed, in and out of the gym. The girls on the team were also so nice and took me under their wing the second I got there. Lastly, the campus was beautiful and felt like my perfect home for the next four years."

"From the very beginning, Eden and Kennedy stood out with their extremely powerful and incredible personalities," Walsh said. "We loved them when they came out to visit and see them being a major contributor on vault and floor. With their high level of experience nationally and their personal accolades, they can really help our program thrive."