Christopulos Named Nissen-Emery Finalist

Lincoln, Neb. - Nebraska men’s gymnast Taylor Christopulos was named one of seven finalists for the prestigious Nissen-Emery Award, announced Tuesday by the College Gymnastics Association.

The Nissen-Emery Award, often referred to as the Heisman Trophy of college gymnastics, has been presented since 1966 to an outstanding senior collegiate gymnast based on achievement within gymnastics, sportsmanship and academic excellence. Three Huskers, Jim Hartung (1982), Wes Suter (1986), and Tom Schelsinger (1988), have won this distinguished award. 

A native of Layton, Utah, Christopulos has been one of the most successful gymnasts at Nebraska after being named an eight time All-American. The three-time captain has won 25 individual titles throughout his time at Nebraska. He was also named to the 2023 and 2025 U.S. Senior Men’s National Teams. In 2023, Christopulos collected many accolades including CGA MVP of the Year and Big Ten Gymnast of the Year.

Outside of the gym, Christopulos has been named to the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll in every semester since he arrived in the Fall of 2020 with most recently earning a 4.0 GPA in the Fall of 2024. He also has been on the Academic All-Big Ten list for three years (2022-24), CGA All-America Scholar-Athlete for 2021 and 2024, and a member of the Tom Osborne Citizenship team in 2022-2024. Additionally, he has been named a CSC Academic All-District honoree in 2023 and 2024.

The Nissen-Emery Award will be presented at the NCAA Championships which will be hosted in Ann Arbor, Mich., April 18-19.

Up next, Christopulos and the Huskers travel to Penn State this week for a Big Ten matchup in University Park, Pa. The meet will begin at 2:30 p.m. (CT) and be broadcasted on BTN.

Nebraska's Nissen-Emery Award Finalists (28)

• Taylor Christopulos (2025)
• Sam Phillips (2024)
• Donte McKinney (2023)
• Charlie Giles (2022) 
• Evan Kriley (2022) 
• Jake Bonnay (2020)
• Anton Stephenson (2019)
• Kyle King (2018)
• Ethan Lottman (2016)
• Kyle Shanahan (2010)
• T.J. Schmidt (2009)
• Grant Clinton (2002)
• Jim Koziol (1999)
• Bill Mulholland (1998)
• Jason Christie (1996)
• Richard Grace and Rick Kieffer (1995)
• Dennis Harrison (1994)
• Brad Bryan (1991)
• Patrick Kirksey (1990)
• Mike Epperson (1989)
• Tom Schlesinger (1988)
• Neil Palmer (1987)
• Wes Suter (1986)
• Phil Cahoy and Scott Johnson (1983)
• Jim Hartung (1982)
• Larry Gerard (1979)
• Gene Mackie (1976)