April 16, 2007

AUBURN -

Junior Julie Dwyer was named the Central Region Gymnast of the Year, the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches (NACGC) announced on Sunday.  This marked the first time in school history that an Auburn gymnast earned this award.

"It's a tremendous honor for her," head coach Jeff Thompson said.  "For the MAC and Big 10 coaches that are in our region to reward her for her outstanding performance not only in the gym, but also in the classroom is a testament to what she has accomplished as an Auburn gymnast."

Dwyer has collected a bevy of awards during her three year career as a Tiger.  Most recently, the two-time All-American was named SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, making her the first gymnast in SEC history to win SEC Freshman of the Year, SEC Gymnast of the Year and SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year.  So far this season, Dwyer has collected 22 individual titles-- five in the all around, eight on beam, four on vault , three on bars and two on floor, bringing her career total to 59. 

Other NACGC Central Region award winners include D-D Breaux of LSU as Coach of the Year, Rob Moore of LSU as Assistant Coach of the Year and Rick Atkinson of Michigan State as Administrator of the Year.

The Bloomington, Ind., native earned her third straight trip to Nationals after placing third in the all around at the NCAA Southeast Regional this past weekend.  Her score was the top among the individuals in the region whose team did not qualify for the NCAA Championships.

Dwyer will compete in Session I of the NCAA Championships in Salt Lake City on April 26-28 and will be paired Alabama throughout the meet and will begin her first rotation on floor.