COLUMBIA, Mo. – Even with the Cyclones failing to defend the Big 12 title, the gymnasts left Saturday’s conference championship meet with a number of individual honors under their belts.

Senior Janet Anson was selected Co-Big 12 Gymnast of the Year, along with Nebraska junior Emily Parsons, while ISU freshman Megan Barnes took home the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year award.

“I am so, so proud of both of them,” said ISU coach Jay Ronayne. “They work so hard, and they’re very special people, so to be recognized as such by people that don’t work with them every day, that’s what makes me proud.”

Anson solidified her standing among the Big 12’s best on Saturday by tying for first on uneven bars, second on vault and third on both balance beam and floor exercise. She also took second place in all-around competition.

“I was happy I could put it all together today,” Anson said. “This has been my best Big 12 [Championship] performance of all four of my years. It’s nice to have such a good meet when you know it’s your last Big 12 meet.”

This is Anson’s second consecutive year winning the award. This season’s win, however, came as a shock to the Kansas City native.

“I was very surprised. I mean, I got it last year and I didn’t know of anyone who had gotten it two times in a row, so I was shocked,” Anson said. “I definitely thought it was going to Emily [Parsons]. She’s an awesome gymnast.”

Parsons won Saturday’s all-around championship despite having very little experience in uneven bars this season. She is, however, currently ranked in the top three nationally in floor exercise, balance beam and vault. It’s conceivable that if Parsons had competed in the all-around throughout the season, she could have possibly won the award outright. Ronayne, however, thinks naming the two co-champions was the perfect choice.

“Emily’s awesome and Janet’s awesome. It’s just appropriate that they tied,” Ronayne said. “Every time Emily’s out there, she rocks the house, and every time Janet’s out there, she rocks the house. They both deserve it – very, very much so.”

As for Barnes, one of seven freshmen on the team this season, she believed a recent back injury would keep her from winning the Newcomer of the Year. Saturday’s competition was her first time competing since March 11.

“I was definitely surprised,” Barnes said. “I didn’t know if I was still going to be up for the award because I haven’t competed [recently], so it was a really good surprise. I think there’s a lot of really great freshmen in the Big 12, so it’s really an honor to be chosen.”