Normal, Ill. – The Midwest Independent Conference announced its 2020 specialty award winners on Friday, after votes were tabulated by the league's head coaches and the Centenary gymnastics teams claimed three honors.
Cami Bea Austin (Memphis, Tenn.) was named Senior of the Year along with Ryan Henry of Lindenwood and Gabrielle Cooke of Illinois State as each tied for the award which recognized the most outstanding gymnast in their final season of competition.
"I am so happy for Cami to receive this recognition," said Centenary head coach Jackie Fain. She has been a rock for this team over the last four years, never missing a meet in her career. She is so steady day in and day out and often doesn't get the recognition she deserves. It makes my heart happy to see her receive such an amazing honor. Cami has been ranked at the top on vault all year, winning several meets against conference foes on that event, along with being towards the top on floor exercise. As a Division III athlete going up against DI and DII schools, Cami should be very proud of the job she has done representing Centenary. She has been an incredible leader by example to our eight freshman this year, and has now set the bar high for them to follow in her footsteps."
Junior Sierra Ponder (Stone Mountain, Ga.) earned the Sylvia Keiter Memorial Award, which was established in 2019 in memory of the former Centenary gymnast, who was tragically killed while stopped to help a motorist in need. It recognizes the athlete who best exemplifies the characteristics of work ethic, dedication, encouragement, loyalty, selflessness, leading vocally and by example, and making a positive impact on everyone she meets.
It seems only fitting for Sierra to receive the Sylvia Keiter Memorial Award, and I know she feels extremely honored," said Fain. She has been a leader all three years of her career and is the glue that holds this team together. Sierra is always willing to put the team first and subordinate herself to the team. She prefers team accolades over individual accolades and works extremely hard both in the gym, and behind the scenes, to pursue them. Her work ethic and integrity is second to none, earning her teammates respect. Sierra suffered a season ending injury late last year, and her recovery was anything but easy. Many thought she would not be able to compete at all this year; her dogged determination and her eagerness to help the team in any way she could pushed her to quiet the nay-sayers, as she consistently made her way into bar line-up! Through it all, even on her worst days, she was still whispering in her teammates ear, still pushing them forward, still doing everything she could to make her team successful. She is the person everyone on this team leans on, they know Sierra will be there for them. Sierra is the Beast of this team, and without her we would not enjoy the success we currently have.
Senior Dorothy Mims (Huntsville, Ala.) was selected as the MIC Woman of the Year in a blind vote by an independent committee. Nominees for Woman of the Year must have a minimum of a 3.25 GPA and have been a member of the gymnastics team for three years (junior status).
The candidate must also write a personal statement of 250 words or fewer about how her experiences as a scholar, an athlete and a leader on her campus and in the community have influenced her life and empowered her to have a positive impact on the world.
"What an honor for Dorothy to be chosen as Woman of the Year in our conference," said Fain. Dorothy has been a little ball of determination since she walked onto campus the first time, and she has let nothing hold her back! She has had her share of setbacks in gymnastics, but finished her senior year in fine fashion. Beyond the qualities she brings to the gym, her grit, hard work and perseverance, she is an outstanding young woman in our Centenary community. She is a Biology/Chemistry major with a 4.0 GPA and is going on to get a dual degree and masters in either biomedical or chemical engineering at Washington University in St. Louis. She has involved herself in several areas of campus life, and has been an amazing mentor to her teammates. I really can't express how happy I am for Dorothy to be recognized in this way, she is a special young lady, and this award is well deserved."
Having our season cut short, and not getting to compete in our culminating meets, has been a hard blow for these Ladies," said Fain. They have really given their all this year, and we were having a great year. Their hard work and dedication shows every one it doesn't matter what Division you are, if you set a goal and work forward towards that goal every day, you can achieve greatness! I want this team to know how incredibly proud I am of what they have done this year – we have eight freshman and only two seniors, yet it was one of the most consistent years we have had since I have been at Centenary. That didn't happen by accident. This team was a special group, and I am honored to have been a part of their journey."
The league will continue recognize the outstanding accomplishments of its student-athletes next week, as the MIC All-Conference Team will be announced on Monday, March 23 at 2 p.m., followed by the MIC Scholar-Athlete Team on Tuesday the 24th at 2 p.m., and a recognition of the league's senior standouts on Wednesday the 25th at 2 p.m.
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