MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Thursday announced Gustavus gymnastics coach Aryn DeGrood as its 2017 Women’s Gymnastics Coach of the Year based on voting conducted by the league coaches. DeGrood has directed the Gusties to a record-setting season as they have tallied six of the program’s all-time top 10 team scores this year alone. She has also coached three gymnasts that have qualified for the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association Championship, which takes place March 31-April 1 at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
This season DeGrood directed the Gusties to a season-high team score of 186.275 in a triangular against Iowa State and Illinois State on Feb. 17, which is also the second highest team score in program history. The last home meet of the season on March 10, DeGrood coached her squad to a score of 184.725, which marked the all-time highest Gustavus team score at Sponberg Gymnastics Studio. Her squad also set a school record 47.025 on bars at the Best of Minnesota Invite on Feb. 26. At the WIAC/NCGA West regional last weekend, DeGrood led a Gustie squad that had four individuals collect all-conference honors.
DeGrood becomes the first Gustavus head coach to earn WIAC Coach of the Year since Gustavus joined the league in 2005. Jerry Connolly was the last Gustavus coach to earn any accolade as he was named NCGA Coach of the Year in 1999.