Guimaraes a Finalist for Nissen-Emery Award

NORMAN – Oklahoma men's gymnastics senior Vitaliy Guimaraes was announced as one of eight Nissen-Emery finalists on Thursday.

Referred to as the "Heisman Trophy" of gymnastics, the honor is awarded to the year's most outstanding senior collegiate gymnast. Announced annually at the NCAA Gymnastics Championships, the award highlights gymnastics excellence, good sportsmanship and a high standard of scholarship.

Guimaraes has shined throughout his career at Oklahoma, claiming his first career All-American honor his freshman year.

Before COVID-19 cut his sophomore year short, he led the Sooners with seven event titles on the season and was named a College Gymnastics Association Regular Season All-American on floor and vault. He also owned the NCAA's best scores of the season on vault (15.050) and floor (15.200).

In 2021, Guimaraes was nominated for the 2021 CGA MVP award and named an All-American in the all-around at NCAA Championships.

Guimaraes was also named to the U.S. Senior National Team following two top-10 finishes at Winter Cup and qualified and competed for Team USA in the 2021 Pan American Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials in pursuit of the 2021 Toyko Olympics.

The co-captain has faced adversity his senior year after a broken nose injury set him back in training and competition. However, on February 25, Guimaraes won the all-around at Winter Cup to keep his spot on the U.S. Senior National Team.

"Vitaliy has been a tremendous leader within the Sooner program," said head coach Mark Williams. "His artistry and clean gymnastics has been the standard for the team to match. As the ultimate team player, Vitaliy has been outstanding in his contributions to the team throughout his career."

The last Sooner to win the award was 2020 Olympian Yul Moldauer in 2019.

The Sooners compete next against Ohio State Saturday at 6 p.m. CT at McCasland Field House in Norman, Oklahoma.