Kendig Named National Coach of the Year

Salt Lake City, Utah - University of Nebraska women's gymnastics coach Dan Kendig was named national Coach of the Year Saturday at the NCAA Gymnastics Awards brunch at Salt Lake City.

It is the first time Kendig, who has compiled a 98-21 record in six seasons at Nebraska has earned the honor. Kendig has guided the Huskers to six straight conference titles and four NCAA appearances in six seasons.

"It is a wonderful honor being voted on by your peers," Kendig said. "I realize that it's not a single person that's responsible for this award. I have an excellent coaching staff and our team put forth great effort this year."

Kendig, in his sixth year with the Huskers, received the award from the Woodward Gymnastics Camp of Woodward, Pa. Kendig has worked at the camp as an instructor and as a program director the past 21 summers. Kendig is currently a master staff instructor.

The Husker women finished sixth in the team finals Friday night, qualifying for the Super Six Finals for the second time in school history.

Three Huskers received All-America honors for their performances in the preliminaries Thursday. Junior Heather Brink (Lincoln, Neb.) earned first-team honors in the all-around, vault and floor. Brink is only the third Husker to earn All-America honors in consecutive years and her six All-America certificates is the most by any Nebraska female gymnast. Senior Misty Oxford (Kelso, Wash.) was honored as a first-team member on the floor exercise, while also earning second-team honors in the all-around. Senior Courtney Brown (Fishers, Ind.) earned her first All-America designation, taking second-team All-American on vault, balance beam and floor exercise.