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Gymnast of the Year Award

The Mark Monaco Memorial Gymnast of the Year Award is presented annually in November to an outstanding male gymnast, scholar and leader that competes within the New York State Section 6 region of high school boys gymnastics.

Recipients

Year Recipients School Photos
2008 Eric Neidermayer Clarence 2008 Recipient
2007 Michael Morse Clarence 2007 Recipient
2006 Michael Maizel
Jarred Forman
Williamsville North 2006 Recipients
2005 Krishna Upadhyaya
Keith Stumpf
Williamsville East
Williamsville South
2005 Recipients
2004 Harrison Reisweber
Evan Bylewski
Jon Shelton
Amherst
Amherst
Hamburg
2004 Recipients
2003 Dan Joyce Williamsville East 2003 Recipients
2002 Brandon Costello Hamburg 2002 Recipient
2001 Jason Scott Kaczmarski Hamburg 2001 Recipient
2000 Chris Centrich
Marc Sardo
Hamburg
Williamsville East
2000 Recipients
1999 Steve Joyce Williamsville East 1999 Recipient
1998 Peter VomScheidt Jr. Sweet Home 1998 Recipient

History of The Mark Monaco Memorial Gymnast of the Year Award

Letter of recommendation for Mark to receive the award

At the age of 5, Mark began learning gymnastics under the guidance of Coach Torey Hirsch at Stumpf's Gymnasium in Williamsville, NY. Torey, who is the current President of the Niagara Frontier Gymnastics Officials Association, was often credited by Mark and his family as one of the most influential people in Mark's life. Throughout his gymnastics career, Mark focused on helping other people achieve their goals by way of coaching and mentoring. Although many personal honors were bestowed upon him, Mark was most proud of his roles that fostered the development of other people and programs. In addition to his 11 year membership in the USGF, (United States Gymnastics Federation), and participation in all New York State USGF Championships during that time, Mark impacted his peers and the sport itself, in many ways:

Maryvale HS Gymnastics Team Empire State Games Opening Ceremonies
  • 1989: Worked with Colleen Tonsoline to form a Boys' Gymnastics Team at Maryvale High School. The team had been defunct since 1984.
  • 1989-1990: Voted 'Most Valuable Team Member' for the Maryvale Boys Gymnastics Team
  • 1989-1991: Captain of the Maryvale Boys Gymnastics Team and varsity letter recipient
  • 1989-1991: Served as a gymnastics instructor for The Cheektowaga Recreation Center
  • 1990-1991: Assistant Coach, Maryvale Boys Gymnastics Team
  • 1990-1991: Ranked 7th and 5th, respectively, in the 'All Around' category during New York State Sectional competition
  • 1990-1991: Participated as a member of the Western Region Men's Gymnastics Team during the Empire State Games
  • 1991: Served as a gymnastics instructor for the Maryvale Continuing Education Program
  • 1991: Served as a gymnastics instructor for Gleason's School of Gymnastics
  • 1991: Recipient of the Western New York Coaches "Gymnast of the Year Award"
  • Member of New York State Class 2, 3, and 4 Championship Teams
Mark and Torey Hirsch

In memory of Mark and his contributions to Gymnastics, Torey Hirsch, (pictured at left with Mark) established The Mark Monaco Memorial Gymnast of the Year Award in 1998. This accolade was formerly presented as the 'Western New York Coaches Gymnast of the Year Award' which Mark received in 1991.