Eight Big Ten Programs Earn 2026 WCGA Regional Awards

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference had eight programs named as recipients of the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) 2026 Regional Awards, recognizing the achievements and leadership in coaching, athletic performance and administration across the sport.

Michigan State assistant coaches Nicole Jones and Devin Wright were honored as the Central Region Assistant Coaches of the Year for the second year in a row. Jones picked up her fourth honor, while Wright earned her third. Iowa’s Jen Llewellyn was named North Central Region Head Coach of the Year, the second head coach in program history to receive the award and first since 2016. Minnesota assistants Mya Hooten, Kiki Parenteau and Sam Scherwinski were recognized as the North Central Region Assistant Coaches of the Year.

Rutgers head coach Anastasia Candia was tabbed as the Northeast Region Co-Head Coach of the Year, her second award in as many seasons. The Michigan trio of Scott Sherman, Cali Hager and Quest Hayden were selected as the Northeast Assistant Coaches of the Year, while Carly Bauman became the seventh Wolverine to earn Regional Gymnast of the Year laurels at least twice. Rutgers’ Monique Brown, Michigan’s Lisa Savoury and Penn State’s Sarah Higgins were named Northeast Region Co-Administrators of the Year.

Maryland assistant coaches JJ Ferreira, Erinn Dooley and Morgan Epps were the Southeast Region Assistant Coaches of the Year for the second time. UCLA’s Jordan Chiles and Janelle McDonald were recognized as the West Region’s Gymnast and Co-Head Coach of the Year, respectively. It was the second career award for each after taking home the honors in 2023.

Below is a full list of honorees from the Big Ten Conference:

2026 WCGA Regional Awards
Region 1 (Central)
Assistant Coaches of the Year
Nicole Jones and Devin Wright, Michigan State

Region 2 (North Central)
Head Coach of the Year
Jen Llewellyn, Iowa

Assistant Coaches of the Year
Mya Hooten, Kiki Parenteau and Sam Scherwinski, Minnesota

Region 3 (Northeast)
Co-Head Coach of the Year
Anastasia Candia, Rutgers

Assistant Coaches of the Year
Scott Sherman, Cali Hager and Quest Hayden, Michigan

Co-Administrators of the Year
Lisa Savoury, Michigan
Sarah Higgins, Penn State
Monique Brown, Rutgers

Gymnast of the Year
Carly Bauman, Michigan

Region 5 (Southeast)
Assistant Coaches of the Year
JJ Ferreira, Erinn Dooley and Morgan Epps, Maryland

Region 6 (West)
Co-Head Coach of the Year
Janelle McDonald, UCLA

Gymnast of the Year
Jordan Chiles, UCLA