Cohen Earns Spot as Nissen-Emery Finalist

Senior Asher Cohen of Lakewood, Colorado, has been named a finalist for the Nissen-Emery Award, the highest honor in collegiate men’s gymnastics.

Often referred to as the “Heisman Trophy of collegiate gymnastics,” the Nissen-Emery Award has been presented annually since 1966 to the gymnast who best exemplifies excellence in performance, sportsmanship and leadership. The award’s motto states: “The true champion seeks excellence physically, mentally, socially and morally.”

Finalists are selected through nominations submitted by collegiate gymnastics coaches, student-athletes and accredited judges from across the country. To advance as a finalist this year, nominees needed to receive at least 60% support from that voting group. The same voters will determine the winner from the list of finalists.

Nebraska is no stranger to the prestigious honor. Jim Hartung won the award in 1982, Wes Suter followed in 1986, Tom Schlesinger claimed it in 1988 and Taylor Christopulos most recently earned the distinction in 2025.

Cohen continues that tradition of excellence for the Huskers. The senior has served as a two-time team captain and has been a consistent leader throughout his career. A two-time All-American on rings, Cohen also earned the Big Ten silver medal on the event in 2025. Cohen has competed at the NCAA Championships every season of his collegiate career while representing Nebraska. He has collected six individual titles, including two on parallel bars and four on rings, and still has four opportunities remaining this season to add to that total.

Success for the Colorado native is also seen in the classroom and community. Cohen is a two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, two-time CSC Academic All-District selection, three-time CGA All-America Scholar-Athlete and two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. He has earned a spot on the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll every semester of his collegiate career, including six semesters with a 4.0 GPA. Cohen has also been named to the Tom Osborne Citizenship Team three times, an honor recognizing student-athletes who demonstrate outstanding commitment to community service, mentorship and academic and athletic excellence.

The Nissen-Emery Award will be presented at the NCAA Championships on April 17-18.

Cohen and the Huskers will return to action on Saturday, March 14, when Nebraska hosts Illinois for senior night at 4 p.m. at the Devaney Sports Center. The meet will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.