McKinney Named 2023 Nissen-Emery Finalist

Lincoln, Neb.- Nebraska men’s gymnast Donte McKinney was named one of eight finalists for the 2023 Nissen-Emery Award, announced Thursday by the College Gymnastics Association.

The Nissen-Emery Award, college gymnastics’ highest honor, has been presented annually since 1966 to an outstanding senior collegiate gymnast based on achievement within gymnastics, sportsmanship, and academic excellence. It is considered the “Heisman Trophy” of college gymnastics. Three Huskers, Jim Hartung (1982), Wes Suter (1986), and Tom Schelsinger (1988), have won the prestigious award.

“I am honestly just honored to be nominated for the Nissen-Emery award,” McKinney said. “I had no idea that I would see this today. I am happy to see it.”



A Fort Bragg, N.C., native, McKinney has been an influential member of the men’s gymnastics team for the past two seasons. A two-time All-American, McKinney has claimed 13 individual titles over his four years in collegiate gymnastics. 

McKinney earned All-America honors in 2022 after finishing seventh on the event and helping the Huskers to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships. He also added All-America honors from the 2021 NCAA Championships on high bar, finishing in fourth on the event. 

The senior is a two-time College Gymnastics Association regular season All-America, finishing with an average score that ranks in the top-eight in 2021 and 2022. 

McKinney has also been a leader in the classroom, earning a spot on the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll. 

The Nissen-Emery Award will be presented at the NCAA Championships which will be hosted in University Park, Pa., April 14-15.

McKinney and the Huskers return to competition this Sunday, March 12 for a Big Ten matchup against Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, Ill. The meet will commence at 3 p.m. CT and be broadcasted live on the Big Ten Network.

Fans can follow @NebraskaMensGym on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for live updates during the meet. 

2023 Nissen-Emery Finalists

1. Brandon Briones – Stanford
2. Chase Clingman – Penn State
3. Spencer Goodell – Oklahoma
4. Paul Juda – Michigan
5. Riley Loos – Stanford 
6. Christian Marsh – William & Mary 
7. Donte McKinney – Nebraska
8. Ian Skirkey – Illinois