Gophers men’s gymnastics star Shane Wiskus won the 2021 Nissen-Emery Award, the College Gymnastics Association (CGA) announced Thursday evening during the CGA Virtual Awards.

The CGA awards the Nissen-Emery Award to the best collegiate senior gymnast who also exemplifies good sportsmanship, fair play and maintains a high standard of scholarship throughout his college career.

“It’s just a shock,” Wiskus said. “It’s really fulfilling to know that the work that I put in and all the people that have helped me get to where I am at today has paid off. The trophy is just stinking cool.”

Wiskus now finds himself among some elite company, as he is the fifth Gopher ever to win the Nissen-Emery Award.

“I’m always just thinking about the people that have won it before me and it’s just an honor to be receiving the same award as all those greats,” Wiskus said. “I look back to the previous Gophers that have won this award and it’s just an honor.”

Other Nissen-Emery Award winners for the Gophers include Ellis Mannon in 2015, Guillermo Alvarez in 2005, John Roethlisberger in 1993 and Tim LaFleur in 1978.

“This is a truly special night, not only for Shane but for the entire Gopher gymnastics program,” Gophers head coach Mike Burns said. “This is our fifth recipient in program history, and we continue to exude excellence even in the final hours of our program.”

Wiskus continues to build on what has been a phenomenal senior year. He was named the 2021 Big Ten Co-All Around Champion, won three other Big Ten event titles on the floor exercise, the parallel bars, and the high bar and was named to the 2021 All-Big Ten First Team at the Big Ten Championship.

The Gophers conclude their final season as a program this weekend as they compete in the NCAA Men’s Gymnastics National Championship at home at Maturi Pavilion, beginning Friday at 7 p.m. Wiskus will look to add more accolades to his arsenal in what has been an astounding senior season.