Gorgenyi repeats as Team MVP to highlight honorees
DURHAM, N.H. – Graduate student Kylie Gorgenyi (North Reading, Mass.) repeated as team MVP for the second straight season to highlight award winners announced at the 2024 UNH Gymnastics Team Banquet, which was held Sunday, April 28, inside the Skybox Lounge at the Whittemore Center at Key Auto Group Complex.
Back-to-back Team MVP Kylie Gorgenyi and Head Coach Lindsey Bruck Ayotte
Gorgenyi, a four-time NCAA Championship competitor, became the fourth Wildcat, and the first since Meghan Pflieger in 2015, to win the EAGL Gymnast of the Year award. Including ties, the North Reading, Mass., native earned at least one podium finish in 12 of 13 meets and finished the campaign with 37 total podiums. Among those included 23 first-place finishes: seven on vault; five on bars; four on floor and seven all-around. She won multiple events in seven meets, was victorious in three or more events in five meets and topped the podium in four events three times.
"Her performances have been nothing short of awe-inspiring, highlighting her incredible athleticism, grace, and precision," said head coach Lindsey Bruck Ayotte, who presented Gorgenyi's award. "From her flawless execution of difficult routines to her unwavering focus under pressure, she has proven time and time again that she is a force to be reckoned with. Her commitment to excellence has not gone unnoticed, inspiring her teammates to push themselves to new heights and raising the bar for our entire team."
Gorgenyi was tabbed to the All-EAGL First Team and EAGL All-Tournament First Team on vault, uneven bars, floor exercise and all-around. She tied for No. 2 in the conference on vault (9.875 National Qualifying Score) and bars (9.895 NQS), ranked fourth on floor (9.885) and No. 2 in all-around (39.270). This season, the four-time EAGL All-Scholastic Team honoree tied her personal best on vault (9.900, Feb. 25), set a school record on bars (9.975, Feb. 19), scored a PB 9.875 on balance beam at the NCAA Gainesville Regional (April 5, University of Florida), registered a career-high 9.950 on floor (March 17, tied for fourth in school history) and posted a PB 39.475 in all-around (Feb. 25) that tied UNH's highest score ever (Amanda Hall, March 6, 2004).
Associate head coach Steve Avgerinos and Most Improved gymnast Serena Mullin
Associate head coach Steve Avgerinos presented the Most Improved Gymnast award to sophomore Serena Mullin (Hamden, Conn.). Mullin was named All-EAGL Second Team on vault, beam and floor, EAGL All-Tournament Second Team on vault and floor and earned EAGL All-Scholastic Team honors for the second year in a row. She registered an NQS of 9.810 on vault (ranked 14th), including a PB 9.850 on March 1, to go along with a 9.830 NQS on beam (T-10), headlined by a career-high 9.925 (March 17). The Hamden, Conn., native tied for 14th in the league on floor (9.840 NQS) and equaled the fourth-highest floor score in Wildcat history with her personal-best 9.950 on Feb. 4.
"After what was a very successful freshman outing, Serena simply elevated every single aspect of her game," Avgerinos said. "The level of her gymnastics soared, and she also worked so hard to be the best teammate and representative of University of New Hampshire gymnastics she could be. This award was well deserved."
Most Inspirational gymnast Jenna DeVincenzo and assistant coach Olivia Queri
Senior Jenna DeVincenzo (Bethpage, N.Y.) garnered the Most Inspirational award, which was presented by assistant coach and 2021 recipient Olivia Queri. DeVincenzo, who missed the 2023 season recovering from an injury, reached new heights by competing in all 13 meets and earning All-EAGL First Team recognition on bars and Second Team on vault. She set personal bests in each event with a 9.875 on vault (Jan. 26), a 9.925 on bars (Feb. 19), and a 9.875 on beam (March 17). DeVincenzo, UNH's 2021 Rookie of the Year, garnered EAGL All-Tournament First Team on bars and Second Team on beam. She is a three-time member of the EAGL All-Scholastic Team.
"In the face of adversity, Jenna demonstrated resilience and persistence, not only coming back 10 times stronger, but stepping up for her team when they needed her," Queri said. "Her desire to help others through difficult situations, offering a listening ear or a piece of advice to whoever need it, truly sets her apart."
Assistant coach Jazmyn Estrella and Newcomer of the Year McCall McMullen
Assistant coach Jazmyn Estrella presented the Rookie of the Year award to freshman McCall McMullen (Athens, Ga.), who was a standout on vault (PB 9.825, Feb. 4) for every meet and saw action on floor (PB 9.700, Jan. 21) in four of the first five meets of the season.
"McCall had a positive attitude in the gym, she came in every day willing and ready to do whatever she could to break into lineups and stay in them," Estrella said. "She is already putting in the work to be even better next year, and I cannot wait to see what she does with her next few years as a Wildcat."
Leah Moreno and Sierra Bauman shared the Unsung Hero award
Senior Sierra Bauman (Wallingford, Conn.), who was the inaugural recipient of the Unsung Hero award in 2023, shared that same honor this season with sophomore Leah Moreno (Cary, N.C.), who was the team's 2023 Rookie of the Year. Bauman and Moreno each were feted as All-EAGL Second Team bar competitors. Bauman hit for a career-high 9.825 twice, including her final collegiate home meet March 17, and ranked 15th in the conference with a 9.785 NQS. Moreno (PB 9.875, March 3) tied for No. 16 with an NQS of 9.775. In Bauman's second career all-around performance, she placed fifth at the EAGL Championship on March 23 to notch All-Tournament First Team. Moreno posted All-Tournament Second Team on vault and bars.
"Leah and Sierra both stood out in leadoff roles for the Wildcats," Avgerinos said in presenting to the co-winners. "It is such a demanding position to be in and doesn't always get the glory. They each deserve to have their praises sung with this award."
Gwen Ockerbloom won the Katie Baldwin Academic Excellence award with a perfect 4.00 GPA
Freshman Gwen Ockerbloom (Granby, Conn.), a member of the EAGL All-Scholastic Team, registered a perfect 4.0 grade-point average to win the Katie Baldwin Academic Excellence award.
Robert E. Houston, Sr. "Pop" introduced the 9.5 Club in 1989 as a threefold award presented as an acknowledgment of dedication, an appreciation of physical effort and a token of a high degree of proficiency attained. Each gymnast who scored a 9.500 or higher during the season was recognized:
