The Alabama gymnastics team celebrated a 2015 season that saw the Crimson Tide win its ninth Southeastern Conference Championship and NCAA-record 30th regional title as well as post its 28th top-four NCAA Championship finish with its annual awards banquet.

The event, hosted by the program's booster organization, The Medalist Club, was held on the floor of Coleman Coliseum Sunday night with more than 300 in attendance.

In a season filled with highlights, milestones and championships the Tide earned its 33rd national championship bid and its NCAA-best 21st Super Six appearance, all in Dana Duckworth’s first season as Alabama’s head coach. In the midst of all that, the Tide became the only program in the country to finish in the top-four at the NCAA Championships each of the last seven years.

“All season long we’ve used a variety of phrases and words as our focus points,” Duckworth said. “Tonight, our word is ‘gratitude.’ There are so many people – so many, many people – who had a part in our success this season and we want them all to know who much we appreciate each of them.”

Senior Hunter Dennis was honored with the Lewis Each Courage Award, which is recognized as the most prestigious honor bestowed by the program. Dennis accepted the award from Jean and Winston Each, parents of the honor's namesake, the late Lewis Each.

The Fern Hampton Academic Award went to junior Lauren Beers. The award, named for the Tide's academic advisor, is given to the member of the gymnastics program that makes the most of their academic talents. Beers, a six-time All-American, is a two-time NCAA Elite 89 Award winner, who carries a career grade point average of 4.0 in exercise science. Beers also earned the David DeSantis Community Service Award.

Long-time Medalist Club photographer Gerald Dutton was honored with the David Dutton Memorial Award, named for his son after his passing 25 years ago this year, and given to those who consistently go above and beyond in the service of the Alabama Gymnastics program.

Alabama gymnastics’ videographer Ben Smith was honored with the inaugural David Patterson Work Ethic Award. The award is named for legendary Alabama coach David Patterson, who retired after 36 seasons last July. David Patterson himself was honored with the Sarah Patterson Distinguished Alumni Award during the season. Together, Sarah and David Patterson led Alabama to six NCAA Championships and more than a 1,000 wins during their extraordinary careers.

Senior All-America and Scholastic All-America Kaitlyn Clark was presented with the Dana Dobransky Commitment to Excellence Award, which honors the individual with a total commitment to the ideals of the Alabama gymnastics program, displaying excellence in academics, athletics, community service and team leadership.

Clark and classmate Kayla Williams were named the Crimson Tide’s permanent captains for the second year in a row. Clark won both an individual SEC and NCAA regional title during her senior year, while Williams earned first-team All-America honors on the vault and balance beam.

The Pat Huet President's Award went to Medalist Club members Terry Grosse and Shannon Hill. Both outgoing Medalist Club President Jack Goertz and incoming president Pamela Crowe spoke of the Tide's season of excellence and excitement for the future.

The Tide's six 2015 All-Americans – Beers, Williams, sophomore Katie Bailey, junior Carley Sims, sophomore Keely McNeer and freshman Mackenzie Brannan – earned 10 honors between them and were honored during the banquet.

Alabama Gymnastics
Photo courtesy of Alabama athletics
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