Alabama’s Luisa Blanco Named AAI Award Finalist
3/15/2023 9:03:00 AM | Gymnastics
The award honors the most outstanding senior female gymnast in the country
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama gymnastics senior Luisa Blanco has been named one of six finalists for the 2023 AAI Award, as announced by the organization Wednesday.
The AAI Award, presented by American Athletic, Inc., is given annually to the nation's top senior female gymnast and is widely considered to be the Heisman Trophy of gymnastics. Blanco is joined by Sierra Brooks of Michigan, Lynnzee Brown of Denver, Maile O'Keefe of Utah, Trinity Thomas of Florida and Raena Worley of Kentucky as the 2023 finalists.
The Crimson Tide has now had a finalist in back-to-back years, with Lexi Graber also earning the recognition in 2022. Since the award's introduction in 1982, three Alabama gymnasts have won the prestigious honor: Barbara Mack (1985), Penney Hauschild (1986) and Andree Pickens (2002).
Blanco has solidified herself as one of the most decorated gymnasts in program history as a 12-time All-American, NCAA Champion, four-time SEC Champion, 2021 Honda Award for Gymnastics Finalist and 2021 SEC Gymnast of the Year. The senior has also earned over 50 individual event titles and four perfect 10.0s on the balance beam during her time at UA.
The recipient of the AAI Award will be announced next month during the NCAA Championships in Fort Worth, Texas.
Luisa Blanco, AAI Finalist
- First-Team Championship All-American- 2022 Vault and Balance Beam, 2021 All-Around, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam, Floor Exercise
- First-Team Regular Season All-American- 2022 Uneven Bars and Balance Beam, 2021 All-Around, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam
- NCAA Champion - Balance Beam (2021)
- 2021 Honda Award for Gymnastics Finalist
- 2021 SEC Gymnast of the Year
- 2021 WCGA Region 1 Gymnast of the Year
- 2021 and 2022 All-SEC Team Member
- 2020, 2021, 2022 Scholastic All-American
- 2021 and 2022 SEC Academic Honor Roll member
- 2021 Second-Team Regular Season All-American – Vault
- 2021 SEC Champion - All-Around, Vault, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam
- 2021 NCAA Regional Champion - All-Around, Vault, Balance Beam, Floor Exercise
For all the latest information on Alabama gymnastics, follow BamaGymnastics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
– UA –
Players Mentioned
