Seattle Pacific University's Laurel Tindall has voted the national coach of the year

SEATTLE (Apr. 21) -- Seattle Pacific University's Laurel Tindall has been voted the national coach of the year for the USA Gymnastics Collegiate Championships.

Tindall, a resident of Brier, Wa., who just completed her 28th season as head coach, guided the Falcons to a third-place finish at the Division II national meet, which concluded Saturday in Denton, Tx. Kristen Strid of SPU won an individual title on uneven bars.

It is the fourth national coach of the year award for Tindall and her first since 1997. However this marks the first time she has won without taking Seattle Pacific to a national crown.

In addition to Strid, Corrie McDaniel, Rachael Anderson and Kari Kelly were also All-America. SPU finished third in its first season in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation and finished with a run of five straight scores in excess of 191 points.