CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Destiny Denning, Kendall Fury and Michaela Gentry have been added to the Fighting Illini women's gymnastics 2024 roster, head coach Nadalie Walsh announced on Friday. The trio joins Olivia Coppola and Madison Vitolo, who signed in November, and Mareli Muller who signed in December.
| 2024 Freshman Class |
| Olivia Coppola |
Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy |
| Madison Vitolo |
North Stars Gymnastics Academy |
| Mareli Muller |
Frederick Gymnastic Club |
| Lyden Saltness |
Midwest Gymnastics |
|
| Destiny Denning |
Flip For Me Gymnastics |
| Kendall Flury |
Sarasota Gymnastics Academy |
| Micheala Gentry |
San Jose State University |
"These three athletes will do tremendous things for the program," Walsh said. "All of their personalities and gymnastics complement the current team. Destiny is a beautiful gymnast with incredible bars and beam. I foresee her having the potential of becoming an all-around competitor in the future.
"Michaela brings a lot of power and experience to the team while Kendall has beautiful lines and has so much potential. I am looking forward to further developing her with this staff."
Destiny Denning | All-Around | Las Vegas, Nev.
Denning trained at Flip For Me Gymnastics under Tatiana Lewis where she was a Junior Olympics National Qualifier in 2021 and 2022, placing second in bars.
Denning was also the Regional Bars & Beam Champion in 2021 and three-time Level 10 Nevada State Bar Champion.
She chose Illinois, "for its exceptional academics and because of the tremendous support they provide to their athletes to help them succeed. I love being a part of a tightly-knit team that truly cares about each other. It's a remarkable environment for both intellectual growth and athletic excellence."
Kendall Flury | All-Around | Tallahassee, Fla.
Competing with Sarasota Gymnastics Academy under Radi Naydenov and Krassi Toneva,
Flury was a five-time regional qualifier, finishing second in all-around and beam. In 2017 she became a member of the Level 8 Regional Champion State Team for Michigan finishing fifth in all-around and first on floor.
Flury was also a four-time TOPs national qualifier and team captain during her time in club gymnastics.
She chose Illinois because, "The minute I stepped into Kenney Gymnasium it felt like home. I fell in love with the coaches and the team. The environment is so strong and passionate. The girls took me in with big welcoming arms and they truly feel like sisters. Not only was it a chance to compete for of one of nations premier gymnastics programs, it is an honor to be able to earn a degree from such a premier university."
Micheala Gentry | Floor, Vault | Oklahoma City, Okla.
Gentry comes to Illinois after two years at San José State University where she earned a second-place finish on vault at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) conference championships and became a two-time WCGA All-American. She was also a Dean's Scholar and was named to the 2023 MPSF All-Academic team.
Prior to SJSU, Gentry attended Edmond Gymnastics under Deana Martinez where she placed sixth on vault and ninth on beam at the Level 10 Regionals.
She chose Illinois because, "Initially, I was attracted to the astounding academics and athletics along with the rich history here at the U of I. When I talked with the coaches and the team, I immediately clicked with them because of their team culture and values. I knew that this was the perfect fit for me especially in transition from another university. I am so excited to be a part of the Illinois family."
Lyden Saltness | All-Around | Stillwater, Minn.
Saltness trained at Midwest Gymnastics and trained under Jess Graba and Ali Lim. Not only did she compete with current Illini Abby Mueller at the 2015 Junior Olympics, she was also teammates with former Illini Kylie Noonan.
During her time in club gymnastics, Saltness placed first in bars at the 2023 National Elite Qualifier, 2023 WOGA Classic Elite Qualifier and the Vegas Cup 2023 TOPs Session.
At the 2020 KPAC Cup National Elite Qualifier and the 2020 Metroplex Challenge, Salness placed first in every event and the all-around.
Saltness also placed in the top five in all five events at the 2018 National Elite Qualifier – first in vault, second in bars, second on beam, fourth on floor and second in all-around.
She chose Illinois "due to the amazing academic help they have to give to everyone. The gymnastics team and coaches all seem very supportive and have a family bond that I love and can't wait to be a part of it. I honestly loved everything about Illinois the first time I saw it!"
Mareli Muller | All-Around | Ashburn, V.A
Muller trained at the Frederick Gymnastic Club under Heather Galpin where she was a 2019 Level 9 Virginia State All-Around Champion as well as tying for first on uneven bars at the 2022 Maryland State Championships and was the 2019 Level 9 Virginia All-Around State Champion.
She also qualified for the 2021 and 2022 Development Program Nationals and the 2018 and 2019 Eastern Nationals. Muller placed first in uneven bars in the 2019 Level 9 Region 7 Regional Championships and second in all-around in the 2022 Maryland State Championships.
She chose Illinois because, "of the incredible positive atmosphere and well-balanced lifestyle that it offers. Every person on the gymnastics team, including coaches, are uplifting and make the team feel like a family. Additionally, Illinois has excellent academics and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities for students. I believe that this school will allow me to excel in all aspects of my life, with the help of the amazing people there."
Olivia Coppola | All-Around | Union, K.Y
Coppola trained at Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy, the same as current Illini Amelia Knight, and was coached by Rachael Gardner.
Coppola earned the Level 9 2022 Eastern National Bars Champion and is the two-time National Floor Champion as well as the 2022 Region 5 All Star member and DP National team member. She also won first place at the Regional Floor Champion as well as the all-around champions at State.
In 2021, Coppola became a national qualifier and a Top 20 state vault and floor champion.
She chose Illinois because, "the team atmosphere, coaching staff, and campus. It felt like home to me!"
Madison Vitolo | All-Around | Basking Ridge, N.J
Vitolo trained at North Stars Gymnastics Academy under Ashley Umberger.
Vitolo qualified for level 10 DP Nationals 3 times in 2022, 2021, 2019. At the Region 7 competitions, she placed third in all-around both in 2022 and 2021.
In the 2022 New Jersey State Championships, Vitolo placed first in all-around, vault, bars, beam and floor and in the 2021 New Jersey State Championships, she placed first in bars and beam.
She chose Illinois because, "I immediately loved the coaching staff and how much they care for their athletes. The team overall has such a great vibe and I could easily see myself training and competing with them. Illinois has both the academic and athletic opportunities that are important to me and I am beyond excited to join the team."
