Becca’s Place gymnasts set a new standard with an unprecedented state championship sweep
April 6, 2025Becca’s Place Gymnastics leads statewide effort to support AB Training Facility after EF-4 tornado devastation
June 1, 2025
Elizabethtown, KY – A Becca’s Place gymnast and Central Hardin junior was named the Kentucky USA Gymnastics Athlete of the Year at the state gymnastics banquet Tuesday night held at the Historic State Theater in Elizabethtown. The state administrative committee selected Vivianna Avey in recognition not only of her impressive achievements in gymnastics, but also of her remarkable resilience, grit, and determination in returning to competition after suffering a lateral elbow dislocation during uneven bars training last August.
The recognition came as a total surprise to Avey, who was in attendance with several of her teammates from Team Kentucky at last month’s regional gymnastics championships—a competition featuring the top athletes from Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, and Kentucky. The banquet also honored many other outstanding athletes for their accomplishments, making the evening a celebration of talent and dedication across the sport.
This marks the first time a gymnast from the Cecilia-based competitive team at Becca’s Place Gymnastics has received such an honor. Avey shared the honor with another gymnast, Riley Edwards, who competes for Excel Gymnastics in Richmond, Kentucky. Avey’s coach, Jennifer Ryan, expressed her pride in the accomplishment.
“When Vivi left in an ambulance last summer, not only did we think her season had ended, but we also weren’t sure if she’d ever return to the sport again,” said Ryan. “But we should’ve known better. You can never count Vivi out, and you can’t underestimate her determination, passion for the sport, and the love she has for her teammates. That’s what really drove her to get back to the gym.”
In addition to thanking the state board for the honor, Avey also recognized the medical professionals who treated her and helped her recover: Hardin County EMS, Baptist Health Hardin Emergency Department, Norton Hand and Arm Specialists, and most especially her occupational therapist at Baptist Health Hardin.
Typically awarded to a graduating senior, the state administrative committee broke with tradition to honor Avey, with many having watched her compete for more than a decade. “The Kentucky gymnastics community is a close-knit group. No matter what team you’re from, you end up watching these girls grow into amazing young women we all come to admire,” said Ryan. “There are no words to express how proud we are of Vivi, and all the athletes celebrated at this year’s state banquet.”
That spirit of pride and recognition extended beyond Avey and Edwards, as several other Becca’s Place athletes and coaches were also honored for their outstanding achievements during the 2024–2025 season. Becca’s place coach and co-owner, Jessika Bohannon-Ferriss, was recognized as the Xcel Platinum/Xcel Diamond Coach of the Year, while McKenzie Hughes was named Rookie Coach of the Year.
Together, Bohannon-Ferriss and Hughes have played a key role in the gym’s success this season. Both coaches honored at the state banquet have been instrumental in coaching multiple athletes to all-around and event titles at both the state and regional levels.
A full list of the Becca’s Place athletes honored at Tuesday’s state banquet are listed below.
Season High-Point Champions
Refers to the Kentucky gymnast who accumulates the highest total score across all meets and events throughout the 2024–2025 season.
- Lydia Carl, Xcel Gold – Vault
- Ellis Minter, Xcel Bronze – Uneven Bars
- Lila Moore, Xcel Silver – Uneven Bars
- Emery Smith, Xcel Silver – Beam, Floor, and All-Around
- Ellie Lucas, Xcel Bronze – Floor
- Karson Rainer, Xcel Platinum – Floor
- MaKayla Hoffman, Xcel Diamond – Floor
Regional Title Champions
- Evelyn Lathrop, Xcel Gold – Uneven Bars and All-Around
- Alyvia Thorn, Xcel Gold – Bars, Floor, and All-Around
Top 3 Regional Awards
- Evelyn Lathrop, Xcel Gold – Value (2nd), Beam (2nd), Floor (3rd)
- Alyvia Thorn, Xcel Gold – Beam (2nd)
- Lydia Carl, Xcel Gold – Floor (3rd), All-Around (3rd)
- Kaylee Coughlin, Xcel Gold – Beam (2nd), Floor (3rd), All-Around (2nd)
- Emma Hawks, Xcel Gold – Beam (2nd), Floor (3rd)
- Nevaeh Henderson, Xcel Gold – Beam (2nd)
Gymnast of the Year – Vivianna Avey
Xcel Platinum/Xcel Diamond Coach of the Year – Jessika Bohannon-Ferriss
Rookie Coach of the Year – McKenzie Hughes
