May 10, 2009

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland gymnastics team celebrated its memorable 2009 season by holding its annual banquet Sunday afternoon in Comcast Center's Heritage Hall.

Family, friends, program alumni and university administrators were on hand to honor the Terrapins, who achieved a berth in the 2009 National Collegiate Gymnastics Regional Championships, claimed their first top-25 national ranking since 2005 and earned their best team score (195.100) in nearly four years during the recently-completed season.

Junior Brandi George and sophomore Abbey Adams highlighted the team's award winners, receiving co-MVP honors. The pair of all-around performers combined for 19 individual event titles and eight All-East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) honors this season.

Freshman Kyra Phillips, an All-EAGL first team nominee on vault, claimed Rookie of the Year honors. George and Kelsey Nelligan, the squad's lone senior, earned the Leadership Award for serving as team co-captains during the 2009 season.

Head coach Bob Nelligan, associate head coach Brett Nelligan and assistant coach Vicki Chliszczyk also presented awards to juniors Margaux Meeks (Iron Terp Award and Timex Award), Michele Brenner (Most Improved) and Candice King (Most Improved), as well as sophomores Kaitlin Joseph (Positive Mental Attitude Award) and Kelsey McDermid (Perseverance Award).

Maryland gymnasts received varsity letters, All-EAGL plaques and EAGL All-Tournament Team awards as part of Sunday's banquet. Bob Nelligan also bestowed a special `Outstanding Sled Rider' award to freshman Becca Pang in the form of a purple helmet.

On behalf of the team, George and Kelsey Nelligan presented gifts to each coach, and Bob Nelligan, who is formally retiring June 1 and being replaced by his son Brett Nelligan, provided `season in review' remarks.

"There are a lot of things I will treasure about this season thanks to you guys," Bob Nelligan said to his team. "I tend to look at each year as a step on a staircase, and we definitely took a giant step up this season by qualifying for NCAA Regionals."

After Kelsey Nelligan gave her senior farewells, Sunday's festivities concluded with an inaugural viewing of the team's highlight video from the 2009 campaign.

An announcement of the team's captains for the upcoming season was made during the banquet. Seniors-to-be George, Brenner and Meeks have been voted to serve as team tri-captains for the 2010 season.

2009 Maryland Gymnastics Awards
Iron Terp Award - Margaux Meeks
Timex Award - Margaux Meeks
Perseverance Award - Kelsey McDermid
Most Improved - Michele Brenner & Candice King
Positive Mental Attitude Award - Kaitlin Joseph
Rookie of the Year - Kyra Phillips
2009 Co-MVPs - Abbey Adams & Brandi George
Leadership Award - Brandi George & Kelsey Nelligan