Bauman Named Finalist for AAI Award, Honoring Nation's Top Senior
3/18/2026 11:59:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Graduate student Carly Bauman of the University of Michigan women's gymnastics team has been named one of seven finalists for the AAI Award, as announced Wednesday (March 18).
The AAI Award is considered the Heisman Trophy of gymnastics and is given annually to the nation's top senior women's gymnast. Bauman joins Jordan Chiles (UCLA), Gabby Gladieux (Alabama), Morgan Price (Arkansas), Anna Roberts (Stanford), Nikki Smith (Michigan State) and Faith Torrez (Oklahoma) as finalists.
In the 35-year history of the award, four Michigan gymnasts have earned the honor: Sierra Brooks (2023), Natalie Wojcik (2022), Kylee Botterman (2011) and Beth Wymer (1995). Michigan's last finalist was Gabby Wilson in 2024.
Bauman is one of the most consistent gymnasts and an experienced leader who has contributed to the success of the program since arriving on campus. She is a two-time captain, having been voted so in her senior season and fifth year to lead the Wolverines. Â Â
Bauman has consistently competed on three events since her freshman season and was a huge part of U-M's national championship in 2021, competing on uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise. She has won 32 career event titles, with 17 on uneven bars, six on beam and nine on floor. Bauman has scored a 9.900 or better on 61 career routines, including 24 on bars, 18 on beam and 19 on floor. After missing her sophomore season due to injury, she returned for her junior season and is a three-time Big Ten honoree, earning first-team honors as a senior and a graduate student and was the Big Ten champion on uneven bars in 2023. Bauman was the 2025 Regional Gymnast of the Year and the uneven bars regional champion.
Bauman has also helped Michigan win two Big Ten Championships and two Big Ten regular-season championships, along with the national championship in 2021. She has been named to the Big Ten Championship team on two occasions and has earned Big Ten Specialist of the Week honors four times.
Outside of the gym, she earned her degree in biology, health and science and also earned her Master of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology in 2025. She is currently pursuing her Master of Management. She is a College Sports Communicators Academic All-American, a four-time Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association Scholastic All-American, a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.
Bauman is also part of a group of students who visit children at Mott Children's Hospital and is part of Michigan Athletes Towards Careers in Healthcare as well as working in the research lab on campus.
The recipient of the AAI Award will be announced next month during the NCAA Championships in Fort Worth, Texas.
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