University of Minnesota Athletics Celebrates Hooten’s AAI Award Nomination: A Closer Look at His Journey

MINNEAPOLIS — Mya Hooten, a senior at the University of Minnesota, has been nominated for the AAI Award, which recognizes the top senior in women’s gymnastics. This award is often compared to the Heisman Trophy for its prestige, and it’s been presented for over 30 years. NCAA head coaches nominate their top athletes, resulting in a selection of the six best, with 13 nominees from the Big Ten this year.

Former Gopher Lexy Ramler last won the award for Minnesota in 2021.

Mya Hooten, also nominated in 2024, has an impressive record. She is a seven-time WCGA All-American and earned All-American honors at the NCAA Championships four times. Her achievements include two NCAA Regional titles and six Big Ten titles—three on floor, two on vault, and one on bars. Hooten has hit nine perfect 10s on floor during her career, including three last season.

Academically, Hooten has excelled as well. She has been named Academic All-Big Ten four times and earned the title of WCGA Academic All-American in 2023 and 2024. She has also been a Big Ten All-Championships selection four times. Recently, she won titles on floor, vault, and uneven bars at the Big Ten Championships and advanced to the national level on vault after scoring 9.975 at the Fayetteville Regional.

This distinguished scholar has completed her bachelor’s degree in Business and Marketing Education and is set to finish her Master’s in Human Resources and Industrial Relations at the Carlson School of Management this May. Over her career, she has been recognized as Big Ten Event Specialist of the Week 12 times and was named Big Ten Gymnast of the Week once.