The Alabama gymnastics coaching staff received Central Region awards from the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association, according to an April 8 announcement. Head coach Ashley Johnston was named Coach of the Year, while assistants Justin Spring, Amelia Hundley, and Ross Thompson were each recognized as Assistant Coaches of the Year.
These honors come after Alabama’s best regular-season finish in a decade. The team was one of only two in the nation to score above 197.000 at every meet this season and secured its 44th consecutive appearance at the NCAA Regionals.
Johnston led Alabama to maintain top-three national rankings for much of the season and guided freshman Azaraya Ra-Akbar to become Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year—the first UA freshman since 1999 to earn this distinction. Johnston also oversaw a record-setting bars performance against Illinois and saw significant fan attendance throughout home meets.
Spring, in his fourth year on staff and second as associate head coach, managed vault routines that consistently scored above 49.075. Under his direction, four gymnasts earned eight event titles on vault, with Ra-Akbar achieving notable scores.
Hundley supervised floor choreography that resulted in high team scores and individual accolades for gymnast Gabby Gladieux. Thompson oversaw uneven bars performances highlighted by both individual perfect scores and national leadership by specialist Chloe LaCoursiere.
The recognition from WCGA highlights a season marked by strong performances across all apparatuses under coordinated coaching efforts.
