Courtesy Michigan Athletics
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Senior Paul Juda of the University of Michigan men’s gymnastics team was named the recipient of the 2023 Nissen-Emery Award, presented by the Collegiate Gymnastics Association, on Thursday night (April 13). The award, given annually, honors the nation’s top collegiate gymnast.
Juda becomes the third Wolverine gymnast to win the honor, and the first since Sam Mikulak in 2014. Justin Toman was the first Wolverine to take the honor in 2002.
Juda has yet to compete this season due to injury. His past accolades are highlighted by winning the 2022 NCAA and Big Ten all-around titles, as well as the 2022 NCAA vault title to go along with six All-America honors at last season’s championships. He also boasts the 2022 Big Ten high bar championship and was named Big Ten Gymnast of the Year and Big Ten Gymnast of the Championships.
Established in 1966, the Nissen-Emery Award is college gymnastics’ highest honor and is funded through an endowment established by Dr. Robert W. Emery, the 1969 winner.
The Nissen-Emery Award honors the collegiate senior male gymnast who has not only established an outstanding record of achievement during his college career but also an athlete who has demonstrated good sportsmanship, fair play and a high standard of athletic excellence.
College gymnastics coaches, student-athletes and accredited college gymnastics judges all across the nation are requested each year to submit nominations for the award. Gymnasts receiving the highest number of nominations are then placed on a final ballot and voted upon by those same coaches, athletes and judges.
With Michigan women’s gymnast Sierra Brooks winning the AAI award last night, Michigan becomes the second school in history to win both the prestigious AAI award and Nissen-Emery Award.