Anna Wyhs Benson
Class of 2002
A standout for a Green Wave gymnastics program replete with numerous excellent student-athletes, Anna Wyhs, Class of 2002, reigned as one of the very best in the South-West Conference, the state and New England throughout her four-year high school career.
A longtime co-holder of the New Milford High School record at 9.7 for floor exercise, Anna also excelled in vaulting, on uneven parallel bars and on balance beam.
The versatile Green Wave gymnast captured seven event or all-around SWC titles and added three runnerup finishes.
Anna collected six event or all-around gold medals in state class meet competition and, while competing against all of Connecticut’s very best in the state open, she won a floor exercise gold and registered four straight top five all-around finishes.
Her excellence earned her a gold medal in New England in floor exercise, complementing third places on balance beam and vault. As a senior, Anna placed fifth all-around in New England.
She went on that spring to distinguish herself with a 10th place all-around in nationals in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Coached by veteran mentor Bethany Mihaly, Anna was several times chosen the team MVP, was accorded all-SWC and all-state honors throughout her Green Wave career and three times was chosen all-New England.
Among the Green Wave’s team highlights during Anna’s four-year career was a 15-3 record in her junior campaign in the winter of 2001.
In retrospect, coach Mihaly might have understated when she observed early in Anna’s auspicious freshman season: “She’s going to be excellent.”
Her value to the Green Wave wasn't limited to Anna's actual routines. As she grew into her role as a team leader, she happily shared her gymnastics knowledge with younger teammates to enable their development.
Anna’s NMHS career bests of 9.6 on vault, 9.2 on the bars, 9.3 on the beam, 9.7 in floor exercise and 37.55 all-around compare favorably with two later Green Wave gymnasts, Jeanna Bradle ’06 and Ashley O’Connor ’10, who are NMHS AHOF inductees.