University of Georgia Athletics
Heenan Named Honda Award Finalist
April 26, 2007 | General
SALT LAKE CITY --- Georgia junior Katie Heenan has been named one of four finalists for the Honda Sports Award, presented annually to the nation's top gymnast.
Heenan joins Janet Anson of Iowa State, Emily Parsons of Nebraska and Tasha Schwikert of UCLA as finalists for the award which will be announced on May 8. The winner will become a candidate for the Honda-Broderick Award (Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year).
Heenan is the 2007 Southeastern Conference Gymnast of the Year, as well as the NCAA Southeast Region Gymnast of the Year. She tied teammate Courtney Kupets for the individual SEC All-Around title and won the balance beam title at the NCAA North Central Regional. Kupets was a finalist for this award a year ago.
Heenan, of South Riding, Va., ended the 2007 regular season ranked No. 1 in the all-around, while also ranking ninth on floor and fourth on vault. She won the individual all-around competition in eight of 11 tries this year including dual meets against five teams that advanced to the NCAA Championships.
Heenan was recently named to the SEC Honor Roll and is pursuing a degree in Middle School Education.
Past Georgia winners of the Honda Sports Award include Lucy Wener (1989), Hope Spivey (1991), Kim Arnold (1997 and 1998) and Karin Lichey (1999). In 1992, Heather Stepp was presented with the Honda Inspiration Award.
