Lincoln, Neb.- Nebraska men's gymnasts Charlie Giles and Evan Kriley were named one of eight finalists for the 2022 Nissen-Emery Award, announced this past week by the College Gymnastics Association.
The Nissen-Emery Award has been presented annually since 1966 to an outstanding senior collegiate gymnast based on gymnastic achievement, sportsmanship and academic excellence. Also known as the "Heisman" of gymnastics, this is the highest honor one can obtain in collegiate gymnastics.
The award is presented annually at the NCAA Championships which is set to take place in Norman, Oklahoma Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16, 2022.
"I never thought that I would be nominated for the Nissen-Emery award," Giles said. " I am honored to be nominated and a finalist amongst some of the best athletes in the sport. This achievement means the world to me."
A native from Lake Zurich, Ill., Giles has been a leader for the Huskers all four years at Nebraska. Giles is a three-time All-American, Big Ten Bronze Medalist and Big Ten Sportsmanship award winner. Giles has collected 10 individual titles throughout his gymnastics career. His leadership on the team is highlighted by his academic contributions after earning Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll honors and was named a member of the Tom Osborne Citizenship team for his volunteer work in the Lincoln community.
In addition to Giles, Evan Kriley was named a Nissen-Emery Finalist. This is the first time two Huskers were named finalists in the same year.
"To be nominated for this award is an honor itself, but being a finalist is an incredible feeling," Kriley said. " I never would have expected to be a finalist for the Nissen-Emery award but it's truly motivating to see all the hard work and hours in the gym pay off.
Evan Kriley, a Tampa, Florida native, has been an impactful member of the men's gymnastics team for the past four years. Evan earned All-America honors in 2021 after finishing third on pommel horse. Kriley also helped the Huskers to a third place finish in 2019, Nebraska's best finish since 1999. Kriley has totaled seven individual titles throughout his career. A four-time member of the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll, Kriley has also been a leader in the classroom.
Three Huskers have collected the Nissen-Emery Award including Tom Schlesinger (1988), Wes Suter (1986), and Jim Hartung (1982). The last Husker to be named a finalist for the award was Jake Bonnay in 2020.
Charlie Giles, Evan Kriley and the No. 3 Nebraska men's gymnastics team return to competition this Sunday, March 20, for a matchup against No. 6 Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. The meet is set for 12 p.m. CT and will be broadcasted live on Big Ten Network.
Fans can follow @NebraskaMensGym on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for live updates during the meet.
2022 Nissen-Emery Finalists
- Hamish Carter- University of Illinois
- Matthew Davis- United States Military Academy West Point
- Charlie Giles- University of Nebraska
- Vitaliy Guimaraes- University of Oklahoma
- Evan Kriley- University of Nebraska
- Brody Malone- Stanford University
- Jesse Tyndall- Ohio State University
- Josh Williams- United States Naval Academy