AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn gymnastics team will welcome three student-athletes in 2021 as they all signed National Letters of Intent, head coach Jeff Graba announced Wednesday.
Joining Auburn next year will be Brooke Butler (Coral Springs, Fla.), Olivia Hollingsworth (Seabrook, Texas) and Payton Smith (Windermere, Fla.).
BROOKE BUTLER
Hometown: Coral Springs, Fla.
High School: Florida Virtual School
Event: All-Around
Gym: American Twisters
HIGHLIGHTS: 2019 J.O. National Champion on bars … Scored a 9.95 to win the 2019 Florida State Championship … Two-time Hopes Elite qualifier … Junior Elite qualifier … Two-time Level 10 national qualifier … 2016 J.O. National Team Member.
GRABA THOUGHTS: "Brooke brings a wealth of experience to our program. She is a tremendous athlete on all four events and has experience at the highest levels of our sport. I think Brooke will be able fit in to our team dynamic very early on!"
OLIVIA HOLLINGSWORTH
Hometown: Seabrook, Texas
High School: Texas Connections Academy
Event: All-Around
Gym: World Champions Centre
HIGHLIGHTS: 2019 US Classic qualifier … 2019 fourth-place finish in the all-around at the American Classic … 2018 Senior Elite American Classic and US Classic qualifier … 2017 U.S. Junior National qualifier … Captured the Level 10 Texas state all-around and beam title in 2016.
GRABA THOUGHTS: "Olivia comes to us from a program that is internationally one of the very best. She will bring high tumbling and tremendous execution and we believe is going to be a potential force in the all-around as well."
PAYTON SMITH
Hometown: Windermere, Fla.
High School: Windermere
Event: All-Around
Gym: Brandy Johnson's Gymnastics
HIGHLIGHTS: Three-time J.O. National qualifier … Finished fourth on floor at 2017 J.O. Nationals … 2018 all-around runner up at the Region 8 Championships … 2017 Region 8 champion on floor … Captured first on beam and vault at the 2017 Florida State Championships.
GRABA THOUGHTS: "Payton will bring a bunch of power to Auburn gymnastics. She is a dynamic gymnast on all the events who has competed on the national stage for years. I think she'll be a bunch of fun for our fans to watch!"