University Park, Pa. — Penn State women’s gymnastics sophomore Sharaya Musser (Colorado Springs, Colo.) has been named one of four finalists for the 2010-11 Honda Sports Award to determine the top woman collegiate athlete in gymnastics. Michigan’s Kylee Botterman, Alabama’s Kayla Hoffman and UCLA’s Brittani McCullough are the other three nominees.
After nationwide balloting, the Honda Award winner becomes a nominee for the Honda-Broderick Cup, given each year to the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., which sponsors the program, donates $5,000 to each Honda Sports Award recipient’s school and $1,000 to the school of each nominee.
Musser concluded her sophomore season on Friday, April 15 at the NCAA National Championships as an individual all-around competitor. She earned a spot at the National Championships after placing third in the all-around at the Tuscaloosa Regional on April 2. A two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection, Musser placed in the top five on three events at NCAA Regionals to help Penn State finish third. She earned a placed second on vault, was third on the uneven bars and posted a fifth place finish on beam. A four-time Big Ten Gymnast of the Week this season, Musser owns career highs of 9.925 on all events and posted a career-best 39.725 in the all-around earlier this season. Musser finished in the top two in the all-around in 10 of 11 meets this season prior to regionals, and finished in the top three on beam in all 11 meets. Heading into Regionals, Musser ranked first national in the all-around and was also ranked in the top 10 on each event.
