CEDAR CITY, Utah -- Former Thunderbird gymnast Megan McBride was honored with the Elaine C. Southwick Award on Saturday evening as part of the annual Thunderbird Awards. 

Recipients of the Elaine C. Southwick Award have excelled academically; maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.6. They have also shown outstanding leadership ability and dedicated themselves to serving the University and the community. This is the most prestigious and distinguished award given to a female student at Southern Utah University.

"Megan is committed to her studies, athletes, and through it all has maintained a 3.9 GPA while majoring in Exercise Science," SUU President Scott L Wyatt said during the award ceremony on Saturday. "She has aspirations of becoming a physician's assistant, and during her time here at SUU has set some incredible stats while competing for the Southern Utah University gymnastics team."  

McBride brought the crowd in the America First Event Center to their feet during her final home meet, as she competed for the first time since 2018 on floor after recovering from an injury. 

During her sophomore season, she was named Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference Vault Specialist of the Week three times, setting a career high of 9.900 twice during the year. She also set a career high on floor of 9.875. 

She has been named to the All-MRGC Academic Team each season she's competed for the Thunderbirds. 

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