April 30, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State women's gymnastics team held its annual postseason banquet Friday, April 29. Both players and supporters were honored for their contributions and commitment during the 2011 season.
Sophomore Sharaya Musser (Colorado Springs, Colo.) received the Jan Anthony/Katie Rowland Iron Horse Award. It honors the individual who is the most consistent through the season and competes in the all-around in every meet. Musser was also honored as the Allison Barber/Katie Rowland MVP. Sophomore Madison Merriam (Gaithersburg, Md.) received the Hairston/Samuels Improvement Award as the gymnast who displayed the most improvement during the season.
Junior Whitney Bencsko (Pompton Plains, N.J.) picked up three awards, including the Kathy Parody Hard Work award, given to the individual who displays a great work ethic and always gives 100 percent. This was the third time Bencsko earned the Hardwork award. She also received the Captain Award with senior teammate Danielle Hover (Hamburg, N.Y.), and was one of two gymnasts to earn the Joanne Beltz/Casey Rohrbaugh Balance Beam award. She and classmate Daryl Konsevick (Rutherford, N.J.) hit all of their beam routines this season. In addition, Konsevick was also awarded the Lisa Ingebretsen Competitive Excellence Award as the gymnast who always rises to the competition and performs well under pressure.
Junior Natalie Ettl (Waukesha, Wis.) was honored with the Pam Loree Leadership award. The award is given to the individual who displays leadership qualities at all times with an unselfish attitude and leads by example. Volunteer assistant coach Jillian Monahan was given the Lee Kolos/Bob Ritenbaugh Service award as an individual who went above and beyond to help the team in all possible ways during the year.
The Penn State women's gymnastics team booster club, the Spotters Club, also handed out three awards. Hover was honored with the Penn State Pride Award as the individual who believes in Penn State and leaves a legacy for all to follow. Senior Heather McElwee (Ponte Vedra, Fla.) received the Bill Conway Hugs award, which was first awarded in 2001. The final award given out by the booster club was the Spotters Club Award, which was given to Jim Balthaser. It honors the person who goes out of their way to support the program.
2011 Women's Gymnastics Team Awards
Lee Kolos/Bob Ritenbaugh Service Award: Jillian Monahan
Hairston/Samuels Improvement Award: Madison Merriam
Pam Loree Leadership Award: Natalie Ettl
Kathy Parody Hardwork Award: Whitney Bencsko
Captain Award: Whitney Bencsko, Danielle Hover
Joanne Beltz/Casey Rohrbaugh Balance Beam Award: Daryl Konsevick, Whitney Bencsko
Jan Anthony/Katie Rowland Iron Horse Award: Sharaya Musser
Lisa Ingebretsen Competitive Excellence Award: Darly Konsevick
Allison barber/Katie Rowland MVP Award: Sharaya Musser
Penn State Pride Award: Danielle Hover
Bill Conway Hugs Award: Heather McElwee
Spotters Club Award: Jim Balthaser