Knaeble Named U-M Women's Gymnastics Team MVP
6/7/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Senior Bridget Knaeble (New Hope, Minn./Totino-Grace HS) has been named the Most Valuable Performer of the University of Michigan women's gymnastics team for the 2001 season. She led the team to its third consecutive Big Ten Conference championship, third consecutive NCAA Regional championship and a third-place finish at the NCAA Championships.
Fellow seniors Karina Senior (Markham, Ontario/Milliken Mills HS) and Christine Michaud (Mill Valley, Calif./The Branson School) were both given the 10.0 Club Spirit Award. This is the second consecutive season Michaud has earned the award.
Earning two awards for her efforts this season was junior Shannon MacKenzie (Midland, Mich./Midland HS). She was named the team's Most Improved Gymnast and shared the Coaches' Award with sophomore Janessa Grieco (Mahopac, N.Y./Carmel HS). For both gymnasts, this is the second time they have won the award. Grieco received it last season, and MacKenzie received the award as a freshman in 1999.
Despite battling through injuries all season, Amy Kuczera (Bloomingdale, Ill./Lake Park HS) and Melissa Peterson (Shawnee, Kan./Shawnee Mission West HS) still earned spots in this season's uneven bars and balance beam lineups, respectively. For their efforts, each were given the team's Most Courageous Gymnast award.
As a team, the Wolverines won their third consecutive Big Ten championship, the ninth in the last 10 years. The team also won its third consecutive NCAA Regional championship to earn its ninth straight NCAA Championships appearance. The squad qualified for the Super Six Team Finals for the seventh time in the last eight years and finished third in the nation. Freshman Elise Ray (Columbia, Md./Wilde Lake HS) was the all-around co-champion, winning the fourth individual NCAA title in Michigan women's gymnastics history.
Contact: Jason Gerdom (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
