Groden Named Semifinalist for AAI Award
Feb 24 | Women's Gymnastics
Senior one of 14 from across the country up for most outstanding senior female gymnast
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Senior Libby Groden of the Rutgers gymnastics program is one of 14 semifinalists for the prestigious American Athletic, Inc. Award, which is annually given to the most outstanding senior female gymnast in the country. This award is considered the Heisman Trophy of the sport as the highest honor in collegiate gymnastics.
Groden, who is the first Scarlet Knight to earn this honor, is now included in a vote of the nation's coaches to narrow the pool down to six finalists.
"This is a prestigious and well-deserved honor," head coach Louis Levine said. "Libby has been consistent for four years. You know what you are going to get from her day in and day out and from meet to meet. She has competed all-around in a majority of the meets in her career, and she has hit all four events in most of those meets. She is the glue that holds everything together for this team. And she is very even-keeled in any situation. She has played a major role in everything we have done here during her career."
A three-time NCAA qualifier as an all-arounder, Groden has competed in 43 career meets and owns career highs of 9.875 on floor exercise, 9.850 on balance beam, 9.850 on uneven bars and 9.825 on vault. She has reached the 39.000-total nine times with a best of 39.075. The Pennsylvania native became the first Scarlet Knight to earn All-Big Ten status as a junior.
Also the winner of the team's 2017 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, Groden is a two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and a three-time NACGC/W Scholastic All-America pick by posting a GPA of 3.857 so far. She will earn her degree in May as a visual arts major with a concentration in graphic design, adding an art history minor.
Groden has participated in numerous community service projects during her time on campus, including Read Across America, Embrace Kids Foundation and renovating Christ Church in New Brunswick. She also is part of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Athletes in Action and Students Challenging Realities and Education against Myths.
In addition, Groden has twice been bestowed the Chrystal Chollet-Norton Award for hard work, a positive attitude, the ability to persevere and commitment to Rutgers gymnastics.
The Scarlet Knights will honor their three seniors, including Groden, tonight in a quad meet at the Rutgers Athletic Center. The ceremony will take place following the fourth rotation.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding women's gymnastics, follow the program on Twitter (@RUGymnastics), Facebook (/RUGymnastics), Instagram (@rutgersgymnastics) and Snapchat (rutgersgym).
Groden, who is the first Scarlet Knight to earn this honor, is now included in a vote of the nation's coaches to narrow the pool down to six finalists.
"This is a prestigious and well-deserved honor," head coach Louis Levine said. "Libby has been consistent for four years. You know what you are going to get from her day in and day out and from meet to meet. She has competed all-around in a majority of the meets in her career, and she has hit all four events in most of those meets. She is the glue that holds everything together for this team. And she is very even-keeled in any situation. She has played a major role in everything we have done here during her career."
A three-time NCAA qualifier as an all-arounder, Groden has competed in 43 career meets and owns career highs of 9.875 on floor exercise, 9.850 on balance beam, 9.850 on uneven bars and 9.825 on vault. She has reached the 39.000-total nine times with a best of 39.075. The Pennsylvania native became the first Scarlet Knight to earn All-Big Ten status as a junior.
Also the winner of the team's 2017 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, Groden is a two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and a three-time NACGC/W Scholastic All-America pick by posting a GPA of 3.857 so far. She will earn her degree in May as a visual arts major with a concentration in graphic design, adding an art history minor.
Groden has participated in numerous community service projects during her time on campus, including Read Across America, Embrace Kids Foundation and renovating Christ Church in New Brunswick. She also is part of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Athletes in Action and Students Challenging Realities and Education against Myths.
In addition, Groden has twice been bestowed the Chrystal Chollet-Norton Award for hard work, a positive attitude, the ability to persevere and commitment to Rutgers gymnastics.
The Scarlet Knights will honor their three seniors, including Groden, tonight in a quad meet at the Rutgers Athletic Center. The ceremony will take place following the fourth rotation.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding women's gymnastics, follow the program on Twitter (@RUGymnastics), Facebook (/RUGymnastics), Instagram (@rutgersgymnastics) and Snapchat (rutgersgym).
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Gymnastics
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