Gymnastics Announces 2006 Team Award Winners
4/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
April 24, 2006
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's gymnastics team recently announced its 2006 team award winners at its annual year-end banquet. The Spartans enjoyed a successful year in 2006, earning their eighth NCAA Regional bid in the past 11 seasons.
For the second consecutive season, junior Chayla Hill was selected by her teammates as the team's Most Outstanding Gymnast. Hill was one of the team's most consistent performers in 2006, competing on vault, balance beam and floor exercise. A co-captain during her junior season, Hill notched 11 individual-event titles, including a first-place performance on vault (9.800) at the Big Ten Championships at Jenison Field House on March 25.
A four-year letterwinner and three-year captain, senior Sarah Alexander garnered the team's Spirit Award. One of the most talented gymnasts in Michigan State history, Alexander was a regular on vault, balance beam and floor exercise, despite battling a strained abdominal muscle throughout her senior year. Alexander was named First Team All-Big Ten Conference in 2003 and 2004, and is State's all-time leader on balance beam (9.950) and floor exercise (9.775), with the second-highest all-around score in school history (39.425).
Freshman Dani Fanning was honored as the team's Most Improved Gymnast. A staple on bars and floor exercise, Fanning competed in all 14 team meets in 2006. She capped off an impressive rookie season with a career-high 9.750 on floor at the 2006 Central Regional Championships, April 7 in Baton Rouge, La.
The 2006 Coaches Award, given annually to the Spartan who brings an exceptional level of enthusiasm and hard work to the practice gym on a daily basis, was awarded to all 11 members of this season's team.
