Chambana Sun

Illinois Women's Gymnastics has announced the addition of five new athletes to their 2025 recruiting class. The team will welcome Ava Banks, Summer Clancy, Piper Gow, Callie Kauffman, and Hayden Seymour to the Fighting Illini next fall.

Ava Banks hails from Menlo Park, California, where she trains with San Mateo Gymnastics. An all-around gymnast, Banks cited "the beautiful campus, athletics program, and the team's community" as reasons for her decision to join Illinois. This year, she served as an alternate for the Development Program National Championships in the all-around category.

Summer Clancy is a native of Columbia, Illinois. She competes with Olympia Chesterfield Gymnastics and has qualified for nationals in 2023. She will participate in the 2025 Development Program National Championships on vault. Clancy chose Illinois due to "the outstanding academic opportunities and welcoming team environment."

Piper Gow comes from Argyle, Texas, where she is affiliated with WOGA Gymnastics Plano. Known for her academic achievements as well as her athletic prowess, Gow has maintained a spot on the A Honor Roll throughout high school. She will compete in this year's Development Program National Championships in the all-around.

Callie Kauffman is from State College, Pennsylvania and represents Centre Elite Gymnastics. A Level 10 gymnast for four years, Kauffman has twice qualified for the Development Program National Championships. She plans to major in Psychology at Illinois and praised its "amazing athletic and academic programs" along with a team atmosphere that seemed like "a perfect fit."

Hayden Seymour is based in Highlands Ranch, Colorado and trains with Incline Gymnastics. A two-time qualifier for the Development Program National Championships in the all-around competition this year included—Seymour intends to study neuroscience at Illinois. Her choice was influenced by "the coaches, team, its beautiful campus and its academics."

The university anticipates integrating these athletes into their program when they arrive on campus this fall.