NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State gymnastics head coach Bob Conkling announced the addition of six new recruits to the Redbird Gymnastics roster on Friday.
Isabella Decroo (Warrenton, Virginia), Kaitlyn Donovan (South Lyon, Michigan), Carly Hawksworth (Mokena, Illinois), Madison Kipp (Slate Hill, New York), Jazmine Neely (Allen, Texas) and Kaylee Sugimoto (Camas, Washington) will all continue their education and gymnastic careers at ISU starting in the 2020-21 academic year.
Isabella Decroo / All-Around / Kettle Run HS / Chantilly Academy Gymnastics / Warrenton, Va.
• Three-time Junior Olympic qualifier… 2018 third place in all-around at state… fourth place at the Junior Olympics in 2019.
Conkling on Decroo: "Isabella is a consistent competitor that will only get better with her combination of power, form and style."
Kaitlyn Donovan / All-Around / Father Gabriel Richards HS / Oakland Gymnastics / South Lyon, Mich.
• Placed 10th in all-around, fourth on floor and sixth on vault at the 2019 Michigan State Championships.
Conkling on Donovan: "Kaitlyn will be very successful in her last season competing in the junior Olympics. She is a powerful athlete that will help the us compete on floor and vault."
Carly Hawksworth / All-Around / Lincoln-Way Central HS / Aspire Gymnastics / Mokena, Ill.
• Placed 19th in the all-around at 2019 Illinois State meet.
Conkling on Hawksworth: "Carly is a hard-working athlete that has a natural swing and long lines that gives her routines a special look. She will be competing on bars and floor for us in the future."
Madison Kipp / All-Around / Minisink HS/ Galaxy Gymnastics / Slate Hill, New York
• Placed third in the all-around at the 2019 New York State Championship … took first in the all-around at the Region Six Championship … qualified for Junior Olympics and placed 51st.
Conkling on Kipp: "Madison has a great combination of power and grace as a competitor. She is continuously improving and will be a strong competitor on all four events."
Jazmine Neely / All-Around / Allen HS / Metroplex Gymnastics / Allen, Texas
• Placed 10th on all-around and third on vault at the 2019 Texas State meet … was third on vault at the Region Three Championship.
Conkling on Neely: "Jazmine is a powerful gymnast that will be a competitive all-arounder for the Redbirds."
Kaylee Sugimoto / All- Around / Camas HS / Multnomah Athletic Club / Camas, Wash.
• Two-time Junior Olympic qualifier in 2018 and 2019 … took first in the all-around and on bars at the Oregon State meet … was fifth in the all-around at Region Two Championship in 2019.
Conkling on Sugimoto: "Kaylee is a hard-working gymnast that will make an immediate impact for us next year."
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