The Lindenwood gymnastics team held its annual awards banquet last Friday at the Spellmann Center on the Lindenwood campus.
 
Junior Kierstin Sokolowski was named the Gymnast of the Year for the second time in her career. Sokolowski won the USA Gymnastics Women's Collegiate Individual National Championship in the vault, and she also set a school record on the beam during the season (9.95) and was the MIC Beam Individual Champion. She won 16 events during the year on the vault, bars, and beam. Sokolowski qualified for the NCAA Regional Championships for the second time in her career.
 
The Leader of the Pride Award went to Hannah Rector for the second straight season. The Leader of the Pride honor goes to an individual who excelled in the gym and in the classroom. The senior, who will be attending med school next year, earned All-American honors on the beam and floor, and was a second-team all-MIC honoree on the beam.
 
Senior MacKenzie McMullan won the Heart of a Lion award. McMullan also won the Heart of a Lion award as a freshman. The honor goes to the gymnast who is constantly cheering, helping teammates, and displaying their love and excitement for Lindenwood gymnastics at all times.
 
Freshman Breanna Franklin was named the Most Improved Gymnast, which was voted on by her teammates. Franklin was a first-team All-American on the floor and second-team All-American on the vault.
 
The Lindenwood gymnastics team won its third straight MIC Championship in 2017, and placed third at the USA Gymnastics Women's Collegiate National Championships.