April 13, 2008

Baton, Rouge, La. - Auburn Gymnastics coaches Jeff and Rachelle Thompson were named Central Region Coach and Assistant Coach of the year, announced the Central Region Host, Louisiana State University, Saturday.

Also receiving honors was junior Lindsey Puckett who was named Central Region Gymnast of the Year.

Head coach Jeff Thompson's nod comes after being named co-SEC Coach of the Year. It is the second time in his career that he has been voted both SEC and Central Region Coach of the Year. Assistant coach Rachelle Thompson is honored for the first time in her career.

In 2008, the Thompson's led their team to its first number two seeding at an NCAA Regional, finishing the regular season as the No. 12 team in the in the nation. The Tigers only non-conference loss this season was at Oklahoma.

The pair led Auburn to a 196.100 at the SEC Championships, the team's highest conference score since 1986. They also saw Puckett named co-SEC Gymnast of the Year, capping off a year of four all-around titles and 11 individual event titles.

In 2008, four of the Thompsons' gymnasts were ranked in the top 25 in the all-around for the season. The pair also coached two of the top six gymnasts on beam, with Julie Dwyer climbing as high as the number two spot.

Both Jeff and Rachelle Thompson are in their ninth year at Auburn. Rachelle Thompson joined the staff full-time in 2003 after serving for three years as a volunteer assistant. She was named associate head coach in 2006.