Courtney Kupets, a University of Georgia sophomore and winner of both a Silver and Bronze Medal at the 2004 Olympics, has been chosen as the nation’s top collegiate female gymnast. The honor was based on the results of national balloting among 1,000 NCAA member schools as part of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards program, now in its 31st year.

 

Kupets’ victory will earn her the 2007 Honda Sports Award, given annually to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports, along with automatic nomination for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. She was voted over three other nominees: Janet Anson, a senior at Iowa State University, Emily Parsons, a junior at the University of Nebraska, and Tasha Schwikert, a junior at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). The nominees were selected by the United States Elite Coaches Association.

 

"Having been nominated last year as a freshman was very cool," said Kupets. "Being nominated again and then winning the Honda Sports Award is kind of surreal. We all work so hard and to get the recognition for our efforts, first with the NCAA national title and then on an individual level with this award is … WOW! It makes it feel like hard work really does pay off and there are people out there that really appreciate it."

 

At the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Kupets won a Silver Medal with her fellow U.S. team members in the team all-around competition, as well as an individual Bronze Medal in the uneven bar competition. A 5’ 3” sophomore, she was named the 2007 NCAA All-Around Champion at this year’s NCAA National Championships in Salt Lake City. Her performances at the meet helped lead the UGA Gym Dogs to their third straight national title. Additionally, Kupets was named the NCAA Champion in both the all-around and vault and tied for second place on uneven bars and floor. She was also named third place on beam, earning First-Team All-America honors in all five categories.