Anson Nominated for Honda Sports Award

AMES, Iowa- Iowa State senior Janet Anson has been nominated as one of four gymnastics candidates for the 2006-2007 Honda Sports Award, the Board of the Collegiate Woman Sports Awards announced Monday. Anson, who was named North Central Region Gymnast of the Year as well as the Big 12 Gymnast of the Year, for a second consecutive year, has been one of the nation's top competitors. She is currently ranked sixth overall nationally and seventh on the floor exercise.

In its 31st year, the Honda Sports Award recognizes the top female collegiate student-athletes in each of the 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports. Each woman is selected not only for her superior athletic skills, but also for her leadership abilities, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service.

Winners are selected in each of the sports by a panel of more than 1,000 NCAA administrators. The award winner in each sport will become a candidate for the Honda-Broderick Cup which is awarded annually to the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. A press conference announcing the winner of the Honda-Broderick Cup will be held at the Low Library at Columbia University in New York City, June 25.

Ballots for gymnastics will be distributed to the Senior Women Administrator at each NCAA institution for voting May 1. Nominees on the ballots are selected by finish at the NCAA championships or All-American committees.

In addition to the honor of this selection, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., sponsor of the program, will donate $1,000 to the women's athletic fund of each nominee. The winner receives $5,000 for her program.

Three other athletes are honored as the Division II Athlete of the Year, Division III Athlete of the Year and Inspiration Award winner. Other nominees in Division I gymnastics include Courtney Kupets of Georgia, Emily Parsons of Nebraska, and Tasha Schwikert of UCLA. Past winners of the prestigious Honda-Broderick Cup include Jackie Joyner-Kersee (1984-1985), Mia Hamm (1993-1994) and Misty May (1998-1999).