Was this really up for debate?
Haleigh Bryant earned the 2024 AAI Award at the NCAA’s women’s gymnastics banquet Tuesday evening. The award, given to the top senior gymnast in the nation as voted by NCAA head coaches, is marketed as the sport’s equivalent to the Heisman Trophy despite only seniors being eligible to win it, something that isn’t true for the Heisman Trophy. Also, unlike the Heisman Trophy, factors beyond athletics are part of the award criteria, though specifics on them don’t appear anywhere.
Haleigh won the award over five other finalists: Alabama’s Luisa Blanco, Oklahoma’s Audrey Davis, Utah’s Maile O’Keefe, Michigan’s Gabby Wilson and Kentucky’s Raena Worley.