TUCSON, AZ. –Arizona Gymnastics will welcome three freshmen to the team for the fall of 2017. After signing their National Letters of Intent, the GymCats officially welcome Payton Bellows, Sydney Freidin, and Adra Parks to the graduating class of 2021.

"We are thrilled to welcome Payton, Sydney, and Adra to Wildcat Country," said head coach, Tabitha Yim. "They challenge themselves at the highest level as gymnasts, students, and people, and we know they will represent Tucson and the university with pride. We cannot wait for them to begin their journey at Arizona and know they will make an immediate impact as part of the GymCat family."

Payton Bellows will be joining the Arizona family from Southwick, Massachusetts, where she has been training with Daggett Gymnastics for 4 years. Bellows is the 2016 Region 6 vault, bars, floor, and all-around champion and capped off her 2016 season at the Junior Olympic (J.O.) Nationals with top 5 finishes on vault and in the all-around.

Payton said, "I am excited to come to Arizona because of the big campus with great academics and athletics, and I am looking forward to being a part of the Arizona gymnastics family. "

Sydney Freidin is from sunny Westchester, California, where she attended Pacifica Christian High School and trains with Gym-Jam Gymnastics Club. Sydney is a two-time J.O. Nationals qualifier finishing 6^th on bars and earning two titles at the Region 1 Championship on beam and floor in 2015.

"I am extremely excited to come to Arizona and for the opportunity to participate on the amazing gymnastics team as well as dive deeper into my academic passions like nursing. I can't wait to be a part of such a supportive community that will allow me to thrive in every aspect of my life and challenge me to embark on new journeys, whether it be in academics, in my community, or in gymnastics.", said Sydney.

Adra Parks comes to the Wildcats from West Des Moines, Iowa. She has spent the past six years training with Triad Gymnastics and has earned top honors as State Champion for 4 years straight (2013-2016). In 2016, she was crowned Region 4 beam champion and had top 10 finishes at J.O. Nationals on vault and bars.

"I chose Arizona because I loved the campus and the athletic facilities. I'm looking forward to participating as a team towards a common goal. I'm also excited for the future of the gymnastics program and being a GymCat!" Said Adra Parks.

Arizona Gymnastics is excited to welcome Payton, Sydney, and Adra to the GymCat family. 

For continued coverage of Arizona Gymnastics, follow the team at arizonawildcats.com/gymnastics, on Facebook at facebook.com/ArizonaGymnastics and on Twitter @AZGymnastics.