University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
/ Gymnastics
Photo by: Brad Rempel
'U' Coaches Named Regional Assistant Coaches of the Year
4/8/2026 11:34:00 AM | Gymnastics
After helping lead Minnesota to nationals for the first time since 2022
Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 Regional Awards, honoring excellence across collegiate gymnastics. These prestigious awards recognize outstanding achievement and leadership in coaching, athletic performance, and administration across the sport. The WCGA presents awards annually in each of the six NCAA Division I regions, as well as in Division II and Division III (East and West), reflecting the depth of talent and dedication throughout the collegiate gymnastics community.
Minnesota assistants Mya Hooten, Kiki Parenteau and Sam Scherwinski have been honored as WCGA North Central Region Assistant Coaches of the Year. They helped lead Minnesota to a 25-8 (7-2 B1G) record, a second place finish in the Big Ten and a trip to nationals for the first time since 2022.
As a team, the Gophers posted over 40 event titles this season. Three Gophers were named All-Big Ten First Team, five made Big Ten All-Championships and Arianna Ostrum was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. She also earned WCGA All-America honors on vault and all-around.
WCGA Regional Head Coach of the Year:
Celebrating head and co-head coaches who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, mentorship, and competitive success. Honorees were selected by a vote of their peers within each NCAA region.
WCGA Regional Assistant Coach of the Year:
Recognizing assistant and associate head coaches whose contributions to their teams have been outstanding. Head coaches nominate candidates, and vote to determine the winners. Coaching staffs may be recognized collectively.
WCGA Regional Administrator of the Year:
Honoring athletics administrators who have made a significant impact on their gymnastics programs and institutions. Selected by regional head coach vote, these individuals exemplify the spirit of support and excellence in collegiate athletics.
WCGA Regional Gymnast of the Year:
Celebrating individual gymnasts who have achieved remarkable success and demonstrated leadership throughout the season. Voted on by head coaches within each region, these athletes represent the highest level of competitive excellence and sportsmanship. "These honors represent the commitment, creativity, and drive that embody collegiate gymnastics." said Casey Jo MacPherson, Chair of the WCGA Board of Directors.
"We're proud to recognize this year's honorees and applaud the lasting contributions they've made to their teams, their schools, and the gymnastics community as a whole. Award recipients will be formally recognized at the WCGA Annual Meeting later this year. A complete list of winners is available below.
About the WCGA:
The Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association is a membership-led, professional association representing the nation's intercollegiate women's gymnastics coaches within Division I, II & III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. They work to promote and elevate the sport at all levels of collegiate competition.
The WCGA is THE ADVOCATE for women's collegiate gymnastics.
2026 WCGA Regional Awards
Region 1 (Central)
Head Coach of the Year: Ashley Johnston (Alabama)
Assistant Coaches of the Year: Justin Spring, Amelia Hundley & Ross Thompson (Alabama) Nicole Jones & Devin Wright (Michigan State)
Administrator of the Year: Julie Cromer (LSU)
Gymnast of the Year: Kailin Chio (LSU)
Region 2 (North Central)
Head Coach of the Year: Jen Llewellyn (Iowa)
Assistant Coaches of the Year: Sam Scherwinski, Kiki Parenteau & Mya Hooten (Minnesota)
Administrator of the Year: Liz Darger (BYU)
Gymnast of the Year: Avery Neff (Utah)
Region 3 (Northeast)
Co-Head Coaches of the Year: Kirsten Becker (Pennsylvania) Anastasia Candia (Rutgers)
Assistant Coaches of the Year: Scott Sherman, Cali Hager & Quest Hayden (Michigan)
Co-Administrators of the Year: Lisa Savoury (Michigan) Sarah Higgins (Penn State) Monique Brown (Rutgers)
Gymnast of the Year: Carly Bauman (Michigan)
Region 4 (South Central)
Head Coach of the Year: Shannon Welker (Missouri)
Assistant Coaches of the Year: Jackie Terpak (Missouri) Lou Ball, Tom Haley & Ashley Kerr (Oklahoma)
Administrator of the Year: Katherine Devenport (Arkansas)
Gymnast of the Year: Addison Fatta (Oklahoma)
Minnesota assistants Mya Hooten, Kiki Parenteau and Sam Scherwinski have been honored as WCGA North Central Region Assistant Coaches of the Year. They helped lead Minnesota to a 25-8 (7-2 B1G) record, a second place finish in the Big Ten and a trip to nationals for the first time since 2022.
As a team, the Gophers posted over 40 event titles this season. Three Gophers were named All-Big Ten First Team, five made Big Ten All-Championships and Arianna Ostrum was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. She also earned WCGA All-America honors on vault and all-around.
WCGA Regional Head Coach of the Year:
Celebrating head and co-head coaches who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, mentorship, and competitive success. Honorees were selected by a vote of their peers within each NCAA region.
WCGA Regional Assistant Coach of the Year:
Recognizing assistant and associate head coaches whose contributions to their teams have been outstanding. Head coaches nominate candidates, and vote to determine the winners. Coaching staffs may be recognized collectively.
WCGA Regional Administrator of the Year:
Honoring athletics administrators who have made a significant impact on their gymnastics programs and institutions. Selected by regional head coach vote, these individuals exemplify the spirit of support and excellence in collegiate athletics.
WCGA Regional Gymnast of the Year:
Celebrating individual gymnasts who have achieved remarkable success and demonstrated leadership throughout the season. Voted on by head coaches within each region, these athletes represent the highest level of competitive excellence and sportsmanship. "These honors represent the commitment, creativity, and drive that embody collegiate gymnastics." said Casey Jo MacPherson, Chair of the WCGA Board of Directors.
"We're proud to recognize this year's honorees and applaud the lasting contributions they've made to their teams, their schools, and the gymnastics community as a whole. Award recipients will be formally recognized at the WCGA Annual Meeting later this year. A complete list of winners is available below.
About the WCGA:
The Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association is a membership-led, professional association representing the nation's intercollegiate women's gymnastics coaches within Division I, II & III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. They work to promote and elevate the sport at all levels of collegiate competition.
The WCGA is THE ADVOCATE for women's collegiate gymnastics.
2026 WCGA Regional Awards
Region 1 (Central)
Head Coach of the Year: Ashley Johnston (Alabama)
Assistant Coaches of the Year: Justin Spring, Amelia Hundley & Ross Thompson (Alabama) Nicole Jones & Devin Wright (Michigan State)
Administrator of the Year: Julie Cromer (LSU)
Gymnast of the Year: Kailin Chio (LSU)
Region 2 (North Central)
Head Coach of the Year: Jen Llewellyn (Iowa)
Assistant Coaches of the Year: Sam Scherwinski, Kiki Parenteau & Mya Hooten (Minnesota)
Administrator of the Year: Liz Darger (BYU)
Gymnast of the Year: Avery Neff (Utah)
Region 3 (Northeast)
Co-Head Coaches of the Year: Kirsten Becker (Pennsylvania) Anastasia Candia (Rutgers)
Assistant Coaches of the Year: Scott Sherman, Cali Hager & Quest Hayden (Michigan)
Co-Administrators of the Year: Lisa Savoury (Michigan) Sarah Higgins (Penn State) Monique Brown (Rutgers)
Gymnast of the Year: Carly Bauman (Michigan)
Region 4 (South Central)
Head Coach of the Year: Shannon Welker (Missouri)
Assistant Coaches of the Year: Jackie Terpak (Missouri) Lou Ball, Tom Haley & Ashley Kerr (Oklahoma)
Administrator of the Year: Katherine Devenport (Arkansas)
Gymnast of the Year: Addison Fatta (Oklahoma)
Arianna Ostrum Interview
Monday, April 06
Press Conference: NCAA Regional Final
Monday, April 06
Highlights: NCAA Regional Final
Sunday, April 05
Cinematic Recap: Regional Semis
Sunday, April 05