April 26, 2004

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Terps gymnastics squad officially concluded its 2003-2004 season Sunday at the annual team banquet, held at Comcast Center's Heritage Hall. Head coach Bob Nelligan, along with assistant coaches Wendy Marshall and Brett Nelligan, summarized the young team's extraordinary accomplishments and bestowed team honors on several gymnasts.

Top accolades of the day were shared by senior Sarah Hoenig and sophomore Rachel Martinez, who were named co-Gymnasts of the Year and co-MVPs. Hoenig completed a stellar collegiate career with all-EAGL honors on the three events she competes, earning first team honors on beam and second team nods on floor and vault. Martinez, in just two years with the Terps, has garnered six first team all-conference honors, including four this year on floor, vault, bars and all-around. The Rookie of the Year award went to freshman Marisa St. Louis, who competed on vault, floor and bars for the Terps this season.

Earning this year's Iron Terp team award for dedication in the weight room was junior Mandy Pascual, a first team all-EAGL uneven bars honoree. Junior Ashley Oberdorff was awarded the Perseverance Award, for continuing to work hard despite sitting out the year due to injury. Senior Katherine Schroeder received the Timex Award, given annually to the gymnast that "takes a licking and keeps on ticking."

Two gymnasts were awarded Most Improved Performer this year, both of which were redshirt-freshmen competing their first seasons as Terps. Rachel Colon, who transferred to the team from Michigan, made an immediate impact on the squad and ended the year entrenched in the vault, bars and beam lineups. Ginny Scott shared the award with Colon, having also worked her way into three events for the Terps after sitting out due to injury last year. Scott was also named the team's Most Consistent Performer, suffering only one fall in competition throughout the entire season.

Several Terps were honored for their work outside as well as inside the gym. The Commitment to Excellence Award went to sophomore Rebecca Ruppert, for her demonstration of leadership qualities and dedication to academics and athletics. Senior Rachel Sibert and sophomore Cameron Logan shared the Outstanding Achievement Award for 2004: Sibert, who had several semesters with a 4.0 GPA including this past fall, has been admitted to law school, and Logan has completed her undergraduate degree in two years and will study abroad in Greece this summer.

Prior to the gymnastics team banquet, the eighth annual President's Cup luncheon was held at the Inn and Conference Center. Several gymnasts received recognition for their commitment to academics and community service, and the team won its third consecutive CHAMPS/Life Skills Award. Pascual earned the Academic Achievement Award for having the highest GPA of her team, and Logan earned an ACC Community Service Award. Logan, Schroeder and Scott were also awarded Maryland Community Service Awards.