Sierra Brooks (© Michigan Athletics)
University of Michigan senior Sierra Brooks added yet another win to her long list of accolades when she was named the 2023 AAI Award winner on Tuesday.
The gymnast, who was part of the 2021 title-winning team, received what is considered to be the highest award in NCAA women’s gymnastics. This award is often referred to as the Heisman Trophy of gymnastics.
The award is given to one outstanding senior every year, with the tradition starting over 30 years ago.
Brooks was up against a long list of 38 other senior athletes, including five other finalists: Luisa Blanco (Alabama), Lynnzee Brown (Denver), Maile O’Keefe (Utah), Raena Worley (Kentucky), and Trinity Thomas (Florida).
In addition to being a 2021 national champion with her team, Brooks has won the Big Ten title on bars and vault. She has three career perfect 10s on vault and has been named Big Ten Gymnastics of the Year twice, in 2022 and 2023. She was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2020.
Brooks qualified to nationals as an individual to compete for the floor title after scoring a perfect 10 on the event at the Denver Regional.
Brooks was named the 2023 AAI Award winner during Tuesday night’s banquet honoring national qualifiers.
If you’re wondering what’s next for Brooks, she has already announced she’ll be back with the Wolverines for her fifth and final year next season!
