While the AAI Award has often been misnomered as the “Heisman” of women’s collegiate gymnastics, the more accurate equivalent is the Honda Award, as it is not restricted to seniors. Instead, it recognizes the nation’s top gymnast overall. With just one weekend left before the conference championships begin, let’s take a look at the frontrunners for the season’s MVP. It’s a tight race for the top spot, but with title meets still to come, there’s room for dark horses to make a move.
1. Kailin Chio, LSU
With the highest NQS in the country and a nation-leading six perfect 10s, Chio enters the final weekend of the regular season at the front of an extremely tight Honda Award race. After sticking seven of her last eight competition vaults in a row, Chio ranks first nationally on that event as well as on beam. She has scored 10.0 on vault, beam, and floor this season, showcasing her balanced attack. Chio is a threat on every event and a major reason LSU remains firmly in the SEC and NCAA title conversations despite a less-than-ideal regular season.
2. Jordan Chiles, UCLA
Tied with Chio for most perfect scores this season and ranking first in all-around average is Chiles, whose star power has helped cement UCLA in the national top five and firmly in the team final conversation. The Bruins also claimed the Big Ten regular-season title heading into the conference championship meet. Five of Chiles’ perfect scores came across five consecutive weeks, beginning with a 10.0 for a stuck Yurchenko double on vault and followed by four straight floor 10s. The Big Ten’s top gymnast, Chiles keeps UCLA in the title hunt after last year’s runner-up finish.
3. Anna Roberts, Stanford
Roberts shares the nation’s top all-around score of 39.875 with Chiles and Chio. The former NCAA vault champion has blossomed into a four-event standout, helping push Stanford into the top 10 nationally. Roberts was instrumental in the Cardinal’s Cinderella run to nationals in 2024 and now leads a team capable of qualifying again without the need for an upset. Widely considered the ACC’s top gymnast, Roberts has the polish and postseason résumé to make a late push for the Honda Award.
4. Addison Fatta, Oklahoma
The top gymnast on the nation’s top-ranked team, Fatta belongs firmly in the conversation for the country’s best gymnast. With limited routines early in the season from presumed Sooner leader Faith Torrez, Fatta has stepped into a massive role and adjusted seamlessly, currently ranking third nationally in the all-around. Her emergence has helped keep Oklahoma on top and positioned the Sooners as an early favorite entering championship season. Fatta’s season-high all-around score is also the third-best total recorded this year.
5. Maggie Slife, Air Force
Slife has pushed the Falcons to program-best marks while setting individual school and conference records along the way. If she carries that momentum into the postseason, her résumé could stack up well alongside some of the sport’s biggest names. Beyond her personal achievements, Slife’s biggest impact has been elevating Air Force into postseason contention. The Falcons currently sit on the right side of the bubble at No. 34 and are on track for their highest finish since 2002, when the program last ended the season ranked higher than the 50s.
6. Avery Neff, Utah
Neff joins Chiles and Chio as the only gymnasts with multiple perfect 10s this season and has served as a stabilizing force during a challenging year for Utah. The Red Rocks appear to be regaining momentum and still project as favorites at the Big 12 championship despite sitting outside the national top 10. Neff’s consistency has helped Utah post several solid scores late in the season as it builds toward the postseason, including a key regular-season finale at former Pac-12 rival UCLA. An upset of Chiles on her home floor would significantly boost Neff’s postseason award prospects.
7. Azaraya Ra-Akbar, Alabama
Also the leading contender for Freshman of the Year, Ra-Akbar has fueled Alabama’s surge back into the top four by exceeding already high expectations for a former five-star recruit. After several near-perfect scores earlier this season, Ra-Akbar earned her first career 10.0 last weekend on the road at Illinois. That breakthrough could spark a strong finish to the season—something that would benefit both her awards candidacy and Alabama’s push toward its first team final appearance in the four-team era, as all of the program’s national titles came under the retired Super Six format.
8. Selena Harris-Miranda, Florida
Though she hasn’t competed the all-around regularly thanks to Florida’s depth, Harris-Miranda remains firmly in the postseason awards conversation based on her scoring potential across all four events. Her season-high all-around score sits just a quarter-tenth behind the nation-leading total held by Chio, Chiles, and Roberts. Harris-Miranda has all the pieces to contend for the national all-around title while helping Florida chase a team championship. As the regular season ends and the postseason begins, expect her to appear in the all-around more frequently—an opportunity that could quickly move her up this list through March.
Next Up: Gabby Gladieux (Alabama), Chloe Cho (Illinois), Morgan Price (Arkansas), Nikki Smith (Michigan State)
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Article by Brandis Heffner
