Gymnastics Celebrates 2007 Season at Medalist Club Reception
5/5/2007 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ?? The Alabama Gymnastics team celebrated its 2007 season with a year-end reception hosted by The Medalist Club.
At the reception, held at the Bryant Conference Center, the Crimson Tide was recognized for earning its 25th consecutive NCAA Championship appearance, its 25th consecutive top-10 finish as well as its two individual NCAA crowns among many other achievements.
And in a special presentation, head coach Sarah Patterson was honored with the E. Roger Sayers Distinguished Service Award by University of Alabama Systems Chancellor Malcolm Portera. Patterson could not be on hand when the award was initially announced last week. She and the Crimson Tide were in Salt Lake City, Utah at the national championships at the time.
Patterson had some awards of her own to hand out. The Davis family was honored with the David Dutton Award which is given, when warranted, to those who go above and beyond in the service of Alabama Gymnastics. Jim and his sisters Jan and Leesa Davis, have been instrumental in providing information to the Tide's vast fan base via the web since the inception of The Medalist Club's site, www.gymtide.com. Jim acts as the site's photographer, Jan provides expert commentary during each meet, and Leesa is expert commentator on radio broadcast that airs on WVUA-FM in Tuscaloosa and world-wide on the website.
"The Davis family has done so much for so long to spread the work about Alabama Gymnastics," Patterson said. "I know that all our fans join me in honoring them with this well deserved recognition."
Patterson also recognized long time public address announcer Tony Giles, "The Voice of the Crimson Tide" with the Pat Huet President's Award. Giles has been the PA announcer for Alabama's home meets for 15 years, a span that includes two NCAA Championships along with numerous SEC and NCAA Regional events.
"Tony's voice is instantly recognizable by gymnastics fans everywhere," Patterson said. "There isn't a season that goes by that I am not stopped at an away meet or nationals and someone pays Tony a compliment for his work with us."
Sophomore Ashley O'Neal, who was slowed over the last month and a half of the season by a knee problem only to rearrange her floor routine so she could compete on the floor exercise at the NCAA Championships, was presented with the Lewis Each Courage Award.
Senior Erin Rightley, a finalist of the Paul W. Bryant Student-Athlete Award, was elected captain by her teammates.
Junior Terin Humphrey was recognized for winning her second NCAA Uneven Bars Championship as well as earning All-American honors on the uneven bars and the balance beam. She now has 10 career All-American honors.
Morgan Dennis capped off her rookie season by winning the NCAA Floor Exercise Championship. She also earned All-American honors on the floor and in the all-around as well as All-SEC honors. Freshman Kassi Price also earned All-American honors on the uneven bars. Price also earned SEC Gymnast of the Week honors after winning the all-around in her first three meets of the season.
Freshman Ricki Lebegern was honored for winning the Southeastern Conference Balance Beam Championship as well as earning All-SEC honors. Sophomore Courtney Priess was named to the SEC Good Works Team.
Outgoing Medalist Club president Lyle Herring was praised for his leadership over the past year while incoming president Jim Davis expressed his goal of making the 2008 season another outstanding year for the club and the team.
