Program Awards Announced On Sunday

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas women’s gymnastics team put a cap on the 2017 season on Sunday afternoon, as they held their annual award presentation at Ella’s Restaurant at the Inn at Carnal Hall.

Along with the award presentation, the afternoon featured a season recap from head coach Mark Cook, and a highlight video. The Razorback coaching staff handed out eight awards during the event, which included the Katie Hardman Gymback Pride Award, the Scholar-Athlete Award, the Samantha Cortez Leadership Award, the Most Outstanding Newcomer, the Most Improved Gymnast, the Most Consistent Gymnast, the Gymback Grit Award and the Dana McQullin Coaches Award.

For the first time in program history, the entire team was awarded the Katie Hardman Gymback Pride Award. This award goes to the gymnast who demonstrated the most team spirt and embodied the Arkansas gymnastics team pride. All 13 Razorbacks battled through adversity and injury, testing themselves and each other each week. The team rallied at the end of the year with a season-best performance at the NCAA Regional Championship and sent two Gymbacks, Braie Speed and Jessica Yamzon, to the NCAA Championships.

Speed, a junior on the team, also earned the Dana McQuillian Coaches Award, given to the team member who represents the team above and beyond normal expectations. Speed tied for the vault title at the NCAA Regional Championship and advanced to the NCAA Championship where she finished tied for 13th in Session I.

Freshman Yamzon was named Most Outstanding Newcomer. The Las Vegas, Nevada, native competed in the all-around in every meet earning Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team honors. She advanced to the NCAA Championships where she improved with each event as the meet advanced.

Junior Mia Bargiacchi took home the Scholar-Athlete honor leading the Gymbacks with the highest individual grade point average and she teamed with sophomore Makenzie Anderson as the team’s Most Improved Gymnasts.

All-American Amanda Wellick was honored with the Samantha Cortez Leadership Award. The senior is one of the most highly-decorated gymnasts in program history. She opened the season with the vault title at UCLA but suffered a season-ending injury in the following meet.

Senior Samantha Nelson earned the Most Consistent Gymnast Award for her solid performances on both the balance beam and floor exercise while senior Heather Elswick was awarded the Gymback Grit Award this year.

The 2017 awards banquet signals the conclusion of the season for the Gymbacks.

For more information on the Arkansas women’s gymnastics team, follow @RazorbackGym on Twitter.

Gymnastics Banquet Awards