Stephenson Named Nissen-Emery Award Finalist

Nebraska senior gymnast Anton Stephenson is one of eight finalists for the 2019 Nissen-Emery Award, given annually to the top senior male gymnast in the NCAA based on gymnastic achievement, sportsmanship and academic excellence. The senior co-captain is Nebraska’s second consecutive Nissen-Emery Award finalist, after Kyle King was named a finalist in 2018. Nebraska has had three finalists in the last four years and Stephenson is NU’s 23rd finalist since the award started in 1966.

“The Nissen-Emery Award is a distinction I had my eyes on long before coming to Nebraska,” senior Anton Stephenson said. “To be named a finalist among some of the most talented and decorated gymnasts in this sport is a great honor.”

Stephenson has compiled an extensive list of accomplishments throughout his four years at Nebraska, both in and out of the gym.

A two-time All-American, Stephenson is the defending USA Vault Champion and claimed back-to-back Big Ten Vault titles in 2017 and 2018. Stephenson currently holds the vault and high bar records at Nebraska and boasts 13 individual event titles and four individual all-around titles. Stephenson helped the Huskers to the NCAA Championship Team Finals in 2017 for the first time since 1999. The Huskers returned to the NCAA Team Finals in 2018 as well. The first-team All-Big Ten pick placed third in the all-around at the Big Ten Championships in 2017.

In the classroom, Stephenson was named the 2019 Wayne Duke Award Recipient, an annual scholarship recognizing one male and one female Big Ten senior for achievements in academics, athletics, extracurricular activities and leadership. In 2017 and 2018, the Fishers, Ind., native was named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and was an Academic All-Big Ten pick. He is also a seven-time member of the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll and has been named a first-team CGA All-America Scholar-Athlete three times.

Stephenson also represents the program in the community. He was selected as a Sam Foltz Hero Award Winner in 2018 and is a three-time member of the Tom Osborne Citizenship Team.

“I am so proud and happy for Anton to be selected as a finalist for the Nissen-Emery award,” Head Coach Chuck Chmelka said. “Anton is a great representation of our program and our university, both as a student as an athlete. He is very deserving of it and it’s a great honor for him.”

Nebraska has had three Nissen-Emery Award Winners, including Jim Hartung (1982), Wes Suter (1986) and Tom Schlesinger (1988).

Stephenson and the No. 8 NU men's gymnastics team return to competition Friday, March 8, for a matchup against the No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes and the No. 6 Minnesota Golden Gophers in Columbus, Ohio. The meet is slated for a 5 p.m. CT start and will be broadcasted live on the Big Ten Network.

For updates and more information on Nebraska men's gymnastics, follow the Huskers on Twitter and Instagram (@nebraskamensgym) and like Nebraska Men's Gymnastics on Facebook.