Gymnast Courtney Kupets Honored as Sportswoman of the Year

Former Olympian and Collegiate Gymnast Courtney Kupets poses with Olympian Shawn Johnson at the 2009 Annual Salute to Women in Sports. Kupets was the recipient of the individual award.

The Women’s Sports Foundation held its 30th Annual Salute to Women in Sports in New York City last night.  The annual dinner brings together some of the most iconic women in sports as well as up and comers, too. Last night was no exception – seen on the red carpet were legends Billie Jean King, Annika Sorensam, Michelle Kwan, Jackie Joyner-Kersey along with Wendy Hilliard, Jennie Finch, Melanie Oudin, Allyson Felix, Shawn Johnson, Courtney Kupets, Cristie Kerr, Brittany Lincicome and more.

Former Olympian and NCAA Champion Gymnast Courtney Kupets was awarded the 2009 Sportswoman of the Year award for an individual sport. Courtney’s list of achievements over the past 4 years while she was competing for University of Georgia are just staggering. Courtney came back from a torn Achilles tendon in her junior year to lead the Gymdogs to a fifth straight NCAA team title and she won the all around, bars, beam and floor titles as well.  Throughout her collegiate career, she earned nine individual NCAA championship titles – more than any other gymnast – ever.

In the team category, ice hockey player Jessie Vetter of the University of Wisconsin won the award, while Tiffara Steward was presented with the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award. Tiffara is an amazing young lady – she is a mere 4’6″ and is partially blind and plays basketball for Farmingdale State College on Long Island.

Here are some links to more coverage of the event:

• LPGA Golfers and the “Salute to Women in Sports”
• Photos from the Women’s Sports Foundation Red Carpet (Megan also gave me permission to use her photo of Courtney and Shawn)
• Former Dogs Gymnast Kupets Honored in New York
• Jessie Vetter Named Sportswoman of the Year by Women’s Sports Foundation
• Annika Inspiration Award created to honor young female athletes