Redbird Gymnastics Adds Three To 2021 Class

NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State gymnastics head coach Bob Conkling has added three more gymnasts to his 2021 class, with the additions of Alana Laster (Cape Coral, Fla.), Mya Robinson (Lake Worth, Fla.) and Nyla Smith (Mint Hill, N.C.) to the group that will begin their careers at ISU next fall.

"I'm excited to announce three more incredible athletes that will be joining our 2021 incoming class," Conkling stated. "Besides being good gymnasts, they are all good students with wonderful personalities. We can't wait to see what these three, along with the rest of the gymnasts we already announced, will bring to our team and how they will impact the future successes of the Redbird gymnastics program.

Conkling's comments about Laster: "Alana is a very powerful gymnast that shows explosive elements on all four events.  She is a good all-around gymnast that will make an immediate impact for us.  Her best events, in the past, have been vault and floor but her improvement on bars within the last year may challenge those other two events for her best in her college career. We are looking forward to seeing which event will end up be her best in her college career." 

Conkling's comments about Robinson: "Mya is a very consistent and solid gymnast on all four events, which will help the team from day one of her arriving on campus. What I really like about Mya is her variety of skills and combinations and the ease with which she performs her elements. I think Mya may surprise us all on which event will become her best during her college career. I personally like the variety of skills and combinations within her bars and beam routines."

Conkling's comments about Smith: "Nyla is an all-around gymnast that demonstrates power and grace in all her gymnastics. I feel she will make an immediate impact for us on bars and beam, but don't count her out on the other two events. Her bars routines have explosive release moves and a big dismount. Her beam shows a variety of high-flying tumbling skills and graceful dance skills. I'm looking forward to coaching Nyla and seeing what great things she will bring to the team."

GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App:  Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.