2020 AAI Award top 6 finalists announced
American Athletic, Inc. (AAI) announced the 2020 AAI Award finalists on Wednesday.
The six finalists for the award are Kennedi Edney (LSU), Taylor Houchin (Nebraska), Mollie Korth (Kentucky), Maddie Karr (Denver), Maggie Nichols (Oklahoma), and Kyla Ross (UCLA).
Thirty-two female athletes were nominated for this year’s award, which is presented to the most outstanding collegiate senior female gymnast in the country.
The AAI Award is widely considered the Heisman Trophy of Women’s gymnastics. AAI has been awarding this honor for over 30 years.
NCAA head coaches are asked to submit a nomination for the candidate or candidates of their choice. After the initial nominations, the field is narrowed to the top 6 athletes.
Last year’s finalists included Alicia Boren (University of Florida), Brenna Dowell (University of Oklahoma), Sarah Finnegan (LSU), Olivia Karas (University of Michigan), Katelyn Ohashi (UCLA), and Toni-Ann Williams (UC Berkeley).
Finnegan ultimately took home the title of the 2019 AAI Award Winner at the NCAA Championship Banquet, where all finalists are recognized and the winner announced every year.
See below for this year’s list of nominees in alphabetical order.
2020 AAI Award Nominees – *Denotes Finalist
Olivia Aepli – Ohio State
Halli Briscoe – Oregon State
Michaela Burton – Pitt
Sydney Converse – Iowa State
Maddie Desch – Alabama
Ella Douglas – Michigan State
Jovannah East – Bowling Green
Kennedi Edney – LSU*
Shannon Evans – BYU
Lexi Funk – Michigan
Rachel Gowey – Florida
Sierra Hassel – Nebraska
Taylor Houchin – Nebraska*
Amelia Hundley – Florida
Maddie Karr – Denver*
Mollie Korth – Kentucky*
Isis Lowery – Oregon State
Ivy Lu – Minnesota
Tess McCracken – Penn State
Courtney McGregor – Boise State
Maggie Nichols – Oklahoma*
Bria Northrop – TWU
Denelle Pedrick – Central Michigan
Morgan Porter – Mizzou
Missy Reinstadtler – Utah
Evanni Roberson – Washington
Kyla Ross – UCLA*
Anna Salamone – Air Force
Baylee Tkaczuk – Wisconsin (Oshkosh)
Daisy Todd – Temple
Sabrina Vega – Georgia
Jessica Yamzon – Arkansas