CORVALLIS, Ore. – earned
Oregon State’s Most Valuable Gymnast Award for the 2006 season when the Beavers held their annual gymnastics banquet Saturday morning. The banquet also closed out the careers of and , both of who will graduate in June.
Lanz (Eugene, Ore./Churchill HS) received her honor for distinguishing herself throughout the season on the competitive floor. Lanz, a freshman, competed in the all-around in every meet of the season despite battling a bruised heel throughout the latter part of the season. Lanz fought through the pain to earn Pac-10 co-Freshman of the Year and all-conference honors in the all-around.
Lamun (Reno, Nev./McQueen HS) received the Joy Selig Award, an award that annually goes to the gymnast who most distinguishes herself both academically and athletically and exemplifies courage and leadership, both on and off the competitive floor. The Beavers’ team captain, Lamun led a squad of 15 gymnasts, comprised of 13 freshmen and sophomores. Along the way, Lamun helped the Beavers return to the NCAA Championships for the first time in her career after narrowly missing in her three previous seasons. Lamun earned All-America honors on balance beam.
Lanz also earned a piece of the Newcomer of the Year Award, which she shared with fellow freshman . Smith (Auburn, Wash./Todd Beamer HS) quickly became a crowd favorite in 2006 with her dynamic athleticism. Smith fought ankle injuries over the course of six weeks at midseason but returned to the lineup in time for the postseason. Smith’s return coincided with the Beavers’ run to the NCAA Championships as she won the Pac-10 title on vault and floor exercise and earned All-America status on vault.
In an award voted on by the gymnasts, sophomore (Knoxville, Tenn./Karns HS) received the Most Inspirational Award. Lamb was recognized for her positive outlook and constant support of her teammates as much as her swift recovery from a dislocated elbow. Lamb’s impressive return to the lineup solidified the Beavers’ vault and beam lineups.
Freshman (Lake Oswego, Ore./Lakeridge HS) earned the Coaches Award. The Coaches Award honors the gymnast who, through discipline and hard work, demonstrates the greatest improvement during the season. Bolen, a non-scholarship athlete, earned spots in the bars and floor lineups following the first meet of the season and held her position throughout the year.
Sophomore (Beaverton, Ore./Westview HS) earned the Outstanding Scholar Award for the second season in a row. Fitzgerald was chosen as the student-athlete who has most distinguished herself academically.
To begin the awards section of the banquet the team was recognized for their efforts in the classroom with 12 out of 15 having earned a 3.0 GPA in at least one quarter this school year. Those honored included: Bolen, Fitzgerald, Lamb, Lamun, Smith, , , , , , and .
