Shane Wiskus didn't just win the Nissen-Emery Award in his home state. The Gophers senior received the prestigious national gymnastics trophy in his actual home, handed to him by his mom, Tammy.
Gophers' Shane Wiskus wins Nissen-Emery Award as nation's top senior gymnast
April 16, 2021 at 2:32AM
Wiskus, of Spring Park, was given the award — which goes to the top college senior in his sport — during a virtual ceremony Thursday. He is the fifth Gophers gymnast to win it, and the first since Ellis Mannon in 2015. The 14-time All-America will end his Gophers career this weekend with the NCAA championships at Maturi Pavilion.
"It's a really cool feeling to know the work I put in, and all the people that have helped me get to where I am today, has paid off," said Wiskus, who won three titles and shared the all-around crown at the 2021 Big Ten championships. "I think about the people who won it before me, and it's just an honor to be receiving the same award as all those greats."
Other Gophers to win the Nissen-Emery Award are Tim LaFleur (1978), John Roethlisberger (1993) and Guillermo Alvarez (2005).
RACHEL BLOUNT
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The Gophers went 20-16 overall and 5-13 in the Big Ten last season. Now the conference boasts UCLA, USC, Oregon and Washington.
