NCAA Championships Conclude in Dominant Fashion

Lincoln- The 2009 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships ended Saturday evening at the Bob Devaney Sports Center as?Georgia's Courtney Kupets put the finishing touches on one of the most dominant national championship performances in NCAA history by claiming three individual national titles during Saturday night's Individual Event Finals.

Kupets became just the second three-time NCAA All-Around champion with a 39.80 on Thursday. Her four individual national titles in 2009 tied Kentucky's Jenny Hansen (1995) and Utah's Missy Marlowe (1992) for the most in an individual championships in NCAA history. Kupets, who is a 15-time All-American, entered the championships as a five-time national champion and concluded her career with an NCAA-record nine individual national titles.

At the Super Six Finals on Friday Georgia made it five in a row accompanied by a pair of 10’s from Courtney Kupets giving the GymDogs their 10th NCAA title with a 197.825 at the Super Six Team Finals.

With the victory, Georgia sent Head Coach Suzanne Yoculan out in style with a record of 831-117-7 in her 26th year at the helm of the UGA program.??

Alabama took runner-up honors with a score of 197.575. This was the Crimson Tide’s best NCAA Championships appearance since a second-place showing in 2005. The Tide’s final-rotation floor total of 49.50 was a season high, besting their 49.475 at the SEC Championships. Utah concluded its 28th-straight NCAA Championships appearance with a third-place finish.

Nebraska, which lasted hosted the championships in 2003, has taken the reigns of the national event again in 2009. With the event returning to Lincoln, respective head coaches had nothing but praise for the Nebraska gymnastics program and staff.

“It’s certainly an honor to be in Lincoln, Nebraska,” LSU Head Coach D-D Breaux said. “The championship they hosted a few years ago was wonderful, and it made everyone’s expectations that much higher.? I appreciate all the hard work that it takes to host an event of this magnitude.”?

Fellow Big 12 Coach K.J. Kindler, welcomed the presence of familiar face hosting the championships.

“We’re very excited to be in the Big 12 Conference,” Kindler said.?“We’re disappointed that Nebraska won’t be here, but they will be represented, and Missouri (will represent the Big 12) as well.? Lincoln is a great town.? They always put on a great championship.? They hosted Big 12s and other championship events as well.? It’s great to be here again.”?

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