Alabama Gymnastics Coaches Named WCGA Region 1 Staff of the Year
4/9/2020 10:51:00 AM | Gymnastics
Dana Duckworth was named Region 1 Head Coach of the Year, while Bill Lorenz and Ryan Roberts were voted Assistant Coaches of the Year
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Alabama gymnastics coaches swept the staff awards for Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) Region 1 it was announced Thursday.
Dana Duckworth, in her sixth year as the Crimson Tide mentor, was named the region's Head Coach of the Year in a season that saw Alabama ranked eighth nationally when the season came to a premature end in response to the Covid19 crisis.
"She believed in me and taught me how to love gymnastics again," freshman Luisa Blanco said. "Every time I went for a routine, she was always by my side and she helped me grow not only as a gymnast but as a person this season."
Alabama led Region 1 and was second in the Southeastern Conference by season average (197.006) in 2020. The Tide's season-best 197.550 against Missouri marked its highest team score since the NCAA Championships semifinals in 2017.
"Dana has been my biggest cheerleader when things were great and my biggest supporter when they weren't going as planned," freshman Makarri Doggette said. "She has shown me what it is to be a great leader inside the gym as well as outside of the gym doing great things in the community."
Bill Lorenz, in his sixth season with the Tide, and Ryan Roberts, in his second, were named Region 1 Assistant Coaches of the Year.
"I am beyond thrilled that Bill's and Ryan's daily commitment, contributions and significance were recognized and awarded by our peers," Duckworth said. "Both support our entire staff personally and professionally and share a common vision to the process of how our program strives for excellence in the arena, the classroom and the community."
Earlier in the week the Tide's operations coordinator Robin Kelley was named the Region 1 Administrator of the Year, giving the Tide a sweep of the regional staff awards for the first time in program history.
"While Bill, Ryan, Robin and I are all very honored by these accolades, they are a reflection of the work of our entire staff - volunteer coach Aja Sims, strength and conditioning coach Dave Albaranes, athletics trainer Monica Kirkpatrick, sports nutritionist Rainey Gerald and so many more," Duckworth said. "As I have said before, it takes a village to make a program successful on all levels."
For all the latest information on Alabama gymnastics, follow BamaGymnastics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and head coach Dana Duckworth on Twitter and Instagram at @UACoachDana.
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