Gymnastics Honors Seniors, Award Winners at Team Banquet

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown University gymnastics celebrated its 2019 season, while honoring the members of its Class of 2019 and its award winners, at the program's annual year-end banquet at the Faculty Club on Monday.

Freshman Mei Li Costa (Lawrenceville, N.J.) earned the team's Most Valuable Gymnast and Rookie of the Year awards after a season in which she qualified for the NCAA Regional Championships and won the bars title at the USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championships.

Freshman Sophia Petrillo (Stoneham, Mass.) captured the team's Most Improved award, sophomore Emma Hansen (Cincinnati, Ohio) claimed the team's Most Consistent award, and sophomore Alyssa Gardner (Angola, N.Y.) collected the team's Unsung Hero award.

Senior Gabrielle Hechtman (Bellmore, N.Y.) won the team's Leadership Award while freshman Safiya Miller (Bear, Del.) garnered the team's Bruno Award, given to the gymnast who displays the best sportsmanship, team spirit, and positive motivation throughout the season.

The Bears' seniors – Julia Green (Exton, Pa.), Morgan Hagenbuch (Norwich, N.Y.), Gabrielle Hechtman (Bellmore, N.Y.), and Cassidy Jung (San Marino, Calif.) – took home their white letter sweaters, the traditional gift bestowed upon Brown's seniors.

Brown's freshmen – Mei Li Costa (Lawrenceville, N.J.), Safiya Miller (Bear, Del.), Sophia Petrillo (Stoneham, Mass.), and Abby Walsh (White Lake, Mich.) – received their brown letter sweaters, the traditional gift bestowed upon the Bears' first-year student-athletes.

Most Valuable Gymnast: Mei Li Costa
Rookie of the Year: Mei Li Costa

Qualified for the NCAA Regional Championships on bars
Won the bars titles at USAG Nationals, earning First Team USAG All-America honors; also qualified for USAGs on vault
Claimed the vault title at the Ivy Classic

Most Improved: Sophia Petrillo

Qualified for USAG Nationals on bars and floor
Earned First Team All-ECAC in the all-around based off NQS
Won two all-around titles (Feb. 3, Feb. 10) on the year

Most Consistent: Emma Hansen

Qualified for USAG Nationals on bars and beam
Earned Second Team All-Ivy Classic on bars
Garnered ECAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year accolades

Bruno Award: Safiya Miller

The Bruno Award is given to the gymnast who displays the best sportsmanship, team spirit, and positive motivation throughout the season

Unsung Hero: Alyssa Gardner

Qualified for USAG Nationals on beam, earning First Team USAG All-America accolades
Garnered Second Team All-ECAC on vault (NQS)
Gained First Team All-Ivy Classic honors on vault

Leadership Award: Gabrielle Hechtman