Winning the Big 12 Gymnastics Championship was not the only thing that the fourth-ranked ISU gymnastics team (16-3) accomplished in Lincoln, Neb., last weekend.

Junior Janet Anson was named Big 12 Gymnast of the Year, becoming the first ISU gymnast to ever earn the award, and coach K.J. Kindler was honored with her third consecutive Big 12 Coach of the Year award.

Both women spoke humbly about their awards.

“It was a big surprise,” Anson said. “I didn’t know what to say.”

Even after receiving the award for a third consecutive year, Kindler was taken aback.

“I’m very humbled by it and didn’t expect it at all, to be honest with you,” Kindler said. “The other coaches have done such a great job.”

With all four Big 12 teams currently ranked 13th or higher in the country, this season has proved to be one of the most successful seasons ever for Big 12 women’s gymnastics.

Kindler said she thought all of the Big 12 coaches were deserving of the award.

“I was surprised to win the award with Oklahoma being in the top 10, [Missouri coach] Rob Drass bringing his team from – I think they were [ranked] 24th this time last year and now they are all the way to [be ranked] 13th – and Nebraska always has a great team,” she said.

In her sixth year as the ISU gymnastics team’s head coach, Kindler has amassed an impressive 79-40-1 record, leading the Cyclones through their most successful period in 30 years.

Kindler and her staff have coached 12 conference champions, nine All-Americans, six NCAA regional champions, five NCAA individual national qualifiers and five NCAA individual finals qualifiers.

In 2005, Kindler was named the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women National Coach of the Year.

“As a coach, K.J. [Kindler] brings confidence [and] experience and helps us through everything. She’s wonderful and we’re all very fortunate to have her as a coach,” Anson said.

Anson is at no loss for accolades herself.

Runner-up on vault at the 2005 NCAA national individual finals, Anson has consistently been one of the best gymnasts in the nation this season.

Currently tied for the No. 1 ranking in the country on vault, No. 3 in floor exercise and No. 5 in the all-around, Anson was thrilled to be given the Big 12 Gymnast of the Year award.

“It’s truly an honor to be voted that,” she said. “Just knowing that all of our hard work in the gym pays off – if you do it and you do it well – feels great.”

Anson’s teammates were excited to see one of their own be recognized.

“I think she deserves it,” said senior Kacey Oiness.

“She’s an awesome gymnast and every time she goes out there she’s a great competitor and puts everything into it. No one else deserves it more.”

This season marked the first time Iowa State was undefeated against Big 12 opponents.

Last weekend’s Big 12 championship will be televised via tape delay on Fox Sports Midwest at noon Friday.

During the meet, the network provided Kindler with a tiny microphone in order to get her comments for the television broadcast.

“It was fine wearing the mic,” she said. “I didn’t change anything, so hopefully they cut some stuff out. They know way too much stuff about me.”