May 2, 2012
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State women's gymnastics team held its annual banquet on Sunday, April 29 at the Nittany Lion Inn. Both gymnasts and supporters were honored for their contributions and commitment during the 2012 season.
Junior Sharaya Musser (Colorado Springs, Colo.) was honored with the Allison Barber/Katie Rowland MVP award, as well as the Jan Anthony/Katie Rowland Iron Horse Award as the most consistent member of the team and one who competes in the all-around in every meet.
Musser, senior Daryl Konsevick (Rutherford, N.J.) and sophomore Kassidy Stauder (Palmerton, Pa.) all were honored with the Joanne Beltz/Casey Rohrbaugh Balance Beam award. This award is given to all individuals who hit every beam routine in each meet competed.
Two Nittany Lion freshmen earned awards. Lexi Carroll (Olney, Md.) earned the Kathy Parody Hard Work award as the team member who displays a great work ethic throughout the year and always gives 100 percent. In addition, Krystal Welsh (Bowie, Md.) was awarded the Lynn Crane/Janae Whittaker Attitude Award for always had a consistent and upbeat attitude inside and outside of the gym.
Junior Madison Merriam (Gaithersburg, Md.) picked up the Bernie Robertson Scholar Athlete Award for displaying excellence in classroom and the gym. In addition, Merriam and Musser were also inducted into the Spiritus Leoninus Society.
Stauder was honored with the Hairston/Samuels Improvement Award for her efforts throughout the 2012 season. Konsevick, one of four seniors on the team, was honored with the Pam Loree Leadership award as the individual who displayed leadership qualities at all times with an unselfish attitude.
A new award was also introduced this season to be given to a graduating senior. The Heart of a Lion/Kelly Streicher award was created to honor an individual who inspires others through her unyielding spirit, tireless determination and passionate commitment to the glory of Penn State. Senior Whitney Bencsko (Pompton Plains, N.J.) was the inaugural recipient.
The Booster Club also handed out three awards. Senior Natalie Ettl (Waukesha, Wis.) was honored with the Bill Conway Hugs award, while senior Alexandra Stine (Philipsburg, Pa.) earned the Penn State Pride award. Beth Ettl, Natalie Ettl's mother, was honored with the Booster Club award for all her efforts throughout the season in support of the team. Former Nittany Lion Karen Schuckman was also honored at the banquet. Schuckman received the Lee Kolos/Bob Ritenbaugh Service Award after serving as the Meet Director at all home meets.
The Penn State women's gymnastics team is on Twitter. Follow @PSUGym for the inside scoop. You can also find updates on the Nittany Lion gymnasts at GoPSUsports.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pennstatewomensgymnastics.