University of Florida's Kytra Hunter Receives Honda Sports Award For Gymnastics

LOS ANGELES, May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A freshman who capped her collegiate debut with two NCAA titles, Kytra Hunter of the University of Florida has won the Honda Sports Award for gymnastics after being crowned the NCAA all-around and vault champion for 2012. Her selection by the Collegiate Women Sports Awards Program recognizes Hunter as the country's top female athlete in her sport.

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Hunter is the first gymnast from the University of Florida to achieve the all-around title and only the fifth freshman in the 31-year history of the NCAA championships to win multiple titles. Hunter matched her collegiate best of 9.975 on vault and posted marks of 9.90 on the uneven bars and balance beam and a 9.95 in the floor exercise. She was named to the 2012 All-SEC First Team and became a five-time All-American.

"I am so honored to receive gymnastics' Honda Sports Award," said Hunter. "My first season of collegiate competition has been such a wonderful experience. I am grateful for my coaches, teammates and family because their strength and support was so important and appreciated. Of course, I must thank all the Gator fans who came out to cheer us on–we love performing for you!"

"This is an absolutely incredible honor," said Florida coach Rhonda Faehn. "It is very well-deserved for Kytra. Her work ethic, character and determination have played a very large role in her success this year as a freshman. I'd like to thank the Collegiate Women Sports Awards for sponsoring this honor. What a wonderful program to recognize the achievements and efforts of such dedicated female student-athletes."

A native of Frederick, Md., where she competed for Hill's Gymnastics, Hunter was a member of the U.S. Senior National Team in 2009-10 and 2010-11. She went on the European Tour in 2009, winning a floor competition in Mulheim, Germany. She also represented the U.S. in events in France, Italy and Japan and was named an alternate for the 2009 and 2010 U.S. World Championship teams. She is currently majoring in social and behavioral sciences and hopes to earn a degree in economics. 

The Honda Sports Award is presented annually to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports. As a Honda prize recipient, Hunter becomes a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious Honda Cup. She was chosen by a vote of coaches from 1,000 NCAA member schools. Finalists included Jaime Pisani of the University of Arkansas, Geralen Stack-Eaton of the University of Alabama, and Amy Glass of Boise State University. In addition to Hunter, the current roster of 2012 Honda Sports Award winners include: Sheila Reid of Villanova University (Cross Country), Megan Frazer of the University of Maryland (Field Hockey), Teresa Noyola of Stanford University (Soccer), Alex Jupiter of the University of Southern California (Volleyball), Caitlin Leverenz of the University of California, Berkeley (Swimming & Diving) and Brittney Griner of Baylor University (Basketball).

Media Contacts:

CWSA Media Contact, Ann Herold
310-963-1860, [email protected]

University of Florida, Associate Athletics Director Mary Howard
352-375-4683, [email protected]

SOURCE Honda Sports Award