2002 MPSF Women''s Gymnastics Coach of the Year Kim Hughes |
WOODLAND, Calif. – Hornet head coach Kim Hughes was voted 2002 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Women’s Gymnastics Coach of the Year, it was announced today. Hughes was selected by MPSF coaches after leading the Hornets to a first-place ranking in the conference with a program-best Regional Qualifying Score of 194.070.With a record of 15-6, Hughes led the Hornets to a first-place finish at the inaugural MPSF championship with the squad’s second-highest score in program history (194.900). In winning the MPSF title, the Hornets’ performance included event champions on vault, beam, floor and all-around competitions. Hughes also led the Hornets to the highest national ranking (40th) to end a season and the most NCAA West Regional qualifiers (three) since 1995.
He has now directed Sacramento State to three-consecutive conference titles including two-consecutive Western Independent Championships in 2000 and 2001, and the squad’s first Div. I sanctioned title in school history (MPSF). Sacramento State also recorded program highs in consecutive meets above 193 (four), most scores over the 194-plateau (four) and most scores over the 193-mark (eight) in a season.
In addition, Hughes’ squads have recorded their highest scores in the final meet of the year in six of the last 11 seasons. The Hornets have also recorded season-high scores in the final meet in each of the past two seasons.
After 20 years at the helm of the Hornet program, Hughes’ career record went above the .500-mark for the first time in his career and now owns a 174-162-1 overall mark.
Among his other accomplishments, Hughes guided Sacramento State to a second-place finish at the National Invitational Tournament in 2000 and gave the program its first regional bid in 1999 while also being named NCAA Region 1 Coach of the Year. Hughes earned his first Coach of the Year honor in 1984 when the Hornets were a member of the Div. II Northern California Athletic Conference.
A graduate of Chico State in 1976, Hughes joined the Sacramento State women’s gymnastics program in 1977 and was named head coach in 1981. During his tenure, Hughes also guided the Hornets to Div. I status in 1992.
