Michigan State gymnastics senior Nikki Smith has been named a finalist for the 2026 American Athletic Inc. (AAI) Award, which is given to the most outstanding senior gymnast in the country. Smith is the first finalist in program history.
The AAI Award is considered one of the highest honors in collegiate women’s gymnastics. Smith is one of seven finalists, joining Jordan Chiles (UCLA), Carly Baumann (Michigan), Gabby Gladieux (Alabama), Morgan Price (Arkansas), Anna Roberts (Stanford) and Faith Torrez (Oklahoma). The finalists were selected by NCAA head coaches from a group of 45 nominees. Michigan State was tied for the most nominations, with Olivia Zsarmani and Sage Kellerman also included in the pool.
This honor would add to an already impressive list of achievements for Smith. She was named the 2025 Big Ten Gymnast of the Year, becoming the third gymnast in program history to win the award and the first since 2007. She is a three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection and a six-time Big Ten Gymnast of the Week.
Nationally, Smith is also a two-time Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) Regular Season All-American on vault, earning First Team honors in 2025 and a Second Team nod in 2024.
“Nikki Smith is leaving an enormous legacy, one that may be around for quite some time,” said head coach Mike Rowe.
Along with her titles, Smith earned MSU’s all-around record with a score of 39.775 in 2024. She owns five of the top 10 all-around scores in school history. She is also the only MSU gymnast to score four perfect 10.000s, with two on both vault and floor.
“From the first day Nikki showed up on campus, we knew that she was special,” said Rowe. “Her talent alone was proof that she would have a major impact on this team and program.”
Smith propelled MSU to win back-to-back Big Ten regular season titles in 2023 and 2024 and the Big Ten Championship in 2024.
Smith has competed at the NCAA Championships twice, once for MSU and once as an individual. She helped MSU qualify as a team in 2025 for the second time in program history and the first time since 1987. She competed on beam as an individual in 2024.
“Her power, explosiveness, natural ability and technique - all enhanced by her beautiful artistry - and having fun with the performance aspect of just being Nikki, comes easily,” said Rowe. “She is the sweetest young woman who is there for everyone. She is completely humble and gives credit to her Spartan sisters. Their encouragement and support help make her shine.”
Smith owns career highs of 10.000 on vault and floor, 9.975 on bars and 9.950 on beam. She has won 43 event titles and 15 all-around titles during her career. She is currently tied for seventh on floor and 10th all-around nationally.
Smith has also excelled in the classroom, earning three WCGA Scholastic All-America honors and three Academic All-Big Ten selections, as well as two College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors. She was also named a 2025 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. She will graduate with a degree in studio art this spring.
Smith and MSU Gymnastics are set to compete in the Big Ten Gymnastics Championships on Saturday.
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