Photo by: Duane Burleson
Parker Thackston Dubbed Nissen Emery Award Finalist
3/9/2026 1:11:00 PM | Men's Gymnastics
The CGA announced the finalists on Monday for the award honoring the most outstanding senior gymnast.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The College Gymnastics Association announced the finalists for the 2026 Nissen Emery Award on Monday. Senior Parker Thackston was one of the six finalists on the list. The Nissen Emery Award honors the most outstanding senior gymnast in the country for their career accomplishments. Â
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Thackston is one of the newest members of the U.S. Senior Men's National Team after winning the pommel horse title at Winter Cup. He is a two-time NCAA All-American on pommel horse, finishing in the top eight in the country at the NCAA Championships the past two seasons. He has been named Big Ten Gymnast of the Week, Big Ten Specialist of the Week, CGA Specialist of the Week, Big Ten Freshman of the Week. A Big Ten Gymnast to Watch, he's twice earned a spot on the All-Big Ten Second Team. He also finished fourth on high bar at Big Ten Championships.
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Thackston has been a part of the Buckeyes' pommel horse, parallel bars and high bar lineup and been ranked in the top 25 nationally on pommel horse and high bar leading into the NCAA Championships in past seasons. He's earned 12 pommel horse titles as a Buckeye. Academically, Parker has earned his spot on the Academic All-Big Ten Team and has been named CSC Academic All-District and OSU Scholar Athlete.
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Thackston is one of the newest members of the U.S. Senior Men's National Team after winning the pommel horse title at Winter Cup. He is a two-time NCAA All-American on pommel horse, finishing in the top eight in the country at the NCAA Championships the past two seasons. He has been named Big Ten Gymnast of the Week, Big Ten Specialist of the Week, CGA Specialist of the Week, Big Ten Freshman of the Week. A Big Ten Gymnast to Watch, he's twice earned a spot on the All-Big Ten Second Team. He also finished fourth on high bar at Big Ten Championships.
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Thackston has been a part of the Buckeyes' pommel horse, parallel bars and high bar lineup and been ranked in the top 25 nationally on pommel horse and high bar leading into the NCAA Championships in past seasons. He's earned 12 pommel horse titles as a Buckeye. Academically, Parker has earned his spot on the Academic All-Big Ten Team and has been named CSC Academic All-District and OSU Scholar Athlete.
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