Karnitz Named WIAC Gymnastics Coach Of The Year

After leading UW-Oshkosh to its first national meet in seven years, Lauren Karnitz was named the 2014 WIAC Gymnastics Coach of the Year.

The award was determined by a vote of the league's head coaches. Nadalie Walsh was the last Titan to receive the honor in 2006.

UW-Oshkosh placed third at the WIAC Championship/NCGA West Regional on March 2. The Titans totaled 185.575 points for their second-highest score of the season. The mark clinched a berth in the NCGA Championship on March 21-22 in Ithaca, N.Y.

Karnitz guided UW-Oshkosh to a season-high score of 185.875 at the Lindenwood University Quadrangular on Jan. 17. The Titans also tallied 182.625 points to win a triangular with Hamline University (Minn.) and UW-Stout on Jan. 11.

Last season, Karnitz helped the Titans capture four All-America awards. Krystal Walker placed second on the balance beam, fourth in the all-around and 11th on the vault at the NCGA Championship. Leane Blais also finished eighth on the uneven bars.

Karnitz is coaching her seventh year at UW-Oshkosh. She competed for the Titans from 2003-06 and earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from the school.