University of Minnesota Athletics
Mannon Finalist for Nissen-Emery Award
3/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
MINNEAPOLIS - University of Minnesota senior gymnast Ellis Mannon was named one of the six finalists for the prestigious 2015 Nissen-Emery Award, announced today by the College Gymnastics Association (CGA).The Nissen-Emery Award is given annually to the nation's outstanding senior gymnast and is the most coveted award in collegiate gymnastics. The award is named in honor of George Nissen, a three-time NCAA champion at the University of Iowa, for his contributions to the sport and Dr. Bob Emery, the 1969 recipient of the Nissen Award.
Three Gophers have received the award since 1966 including Tim LaFleur (1978), John Roethlisberger (1993) and most recently, Guillermo Alvarez (2005).
"Ellis being nominated as a finalist for the most prestigious award in collegiate gymnastics is a fitting tribute to the amazing career he has had as a student-athlete here at the University of Minnesota," said Minnesota head coach Mike Burns.
Mannon has represented the University of Minnesota in both league and national competition and has earned all-america laurels twice during his career. Last season, Mannon won both a national and conference pommel horse title just a year after he finished second in both competitions on the apparatus. After his successful 2014 season, the Indianapolis, Ind. native was named to the All-Big Ten First Team.
This season, Mannon has continued to reach new heights as he scored a 15.25 and a 15.45 during the Winter Cup Challenge in Las Vegas, Nev. to clench the 2015 Winter Cup Challenge pommel horse title. Since then, Mannon has produced high marks on the apparatus to lead his team.
The Nissen-Emery Award does not just focus on gymnastics excellence. The award also takes high scholarship and good sportsmanship into account when selecting the finalists for the award.
Mannon has not only excelled in competition but he has also placed his education as an important priority during his collegiate career.During his four years at the University of Minnesota, Mannon has worked toward double bachelor's degrees (B.Ch.E in Chemical Engineering and B.S. in Economics) with additional minors in Chemistry and Mathematics.. He has heldhimself to a high standard accumulating an overall GPA of 3.205.
"Ellis embodies the definition of "student-athlete," said Burns. "And he is the kind of young man the University of Minnesota will be proud of for many, many years."
The other finalists for this year's Nissen-Emery Award include Mannon, Sean Senters (Stanford), Adrian de los Angeles (Michigan), Alec Robin (Oklahoma), C.J. Maestas (Illinois) and Craig Hernandez (Penn State).
For more information about the Nissen-Emery Award and Ellis Mannon, please visit the CGA website.
This year's winner will be announced at the CGA Awards Banquet during the NCAA Championships in Norman, Okla.
