DENTON, Texas (April 19) – TWU freshman gymnast
Kristin Edwards received the 2010 USA Gymnastics (USAG) Mari-Rae Soper Spirit Award, highlighting numerous Pioneers recognized with postseason honors at the 2010 USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championships.
Edwards earned the award for her passion, dedication, and devotion to the sport of gymnastics. She was also a first team All-America selection on vault and floor.
Five other TWU gymnasts – senior
Michelle Graves (beam), junior
Caroline Hilpisch (floor), sophomore
Rashonda Cannie (all-around and bars), and freshmen
Brittany Johnson (all-around, vault, bars, and beam) and
Amy Winczura (vault and floor) – also received first team All-America honors. Cannie earned second team honors on vault while junior
Kristie Costa was a second team selection on bars and senior
Leslie Pladson received the honor on beam.
The All-America awards are the first for Edwards, Graves, Hilpisch, Johnson, Pladson and Winczura. Cannie earned the national honors in 2009 on vault, bars, floor, and all-around while Costa received on vault, bars, and beam.
Eight Pioneers – senior Alexa Brennan, sophomore Marcella Fallon, Graves, Hilpisch, sophomore Chaynade Knowles, senior Kerri Miller, senior Kelsey Nixon, and Pladson – were named 2010 USAG Scholar-Athletes. To qualify for this honor, gymnasts must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and be in their second year of competition.