Houchin Named AAI Award Finalist

Lincoln, Neb. -- Nebraska women's gymnastics senior Taylor Houchin has been named one of the six finalists for the AAI Award. The award is presented to the most outstanding collegiate senior gymnast in the country and is considered the Heisman Trophy of college gymnastics. 

Houchin is joined by five other finalists, Kennedi Edney (LSU), Maddie Carr (Denver), Mollie Korth (Kentucky), Maggie Nichols (Oklahoma) and Kyla Ross (UCLA). 

Two Nebraska gymnasts have won the AAI Award in the past. Richelle Simpson won the award in 2005 and Emily Wong was honored in 2014. 

During her senior season, Houchin has led the Huskers by example. She tied her career-high on vault this season, with a score of 9.975 on Jan. 9, 2020 at Southern Utah. Through the week of March 9, 2020, Houchin has amassed 41 individual event titles throughout her career, including 15 during the 2020 season. 

She is ranked No. 3 in the country on vault with a national qualifying score of 9.930 and No. 22 in the all-around with a national qualifying score of 39.330. 

Houchin is a multiple-time All-American and All-Big Ten Conference gymnast, who has recorded career-high scores of 9.95 or higher on all four events, as well as a high of 39.650 in all-around competition. 

Houchin will look to help lead Nebraska against No. 7-ranked Denver Pioneers this Saturday, March 14 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The meet will take place at 7 p.m. and will be streamed live on BTN+.