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Abbie Stockard was named Miss America this week in the latest edition of the annual pageant. Boyfriend Walker Kessler had the best reaction to seeing Stockard take home the title.
He posted a video of his response to Instagram as he watched the ceremony live. He couldn’t have been happier to see his girlfriend take home the honor.
Kessler played basketball at Auburn in the 2021-22 season before heading off to the NBA. Stockard is currently a nursing student at the university as well as a cheerleader on the sidelines at sporting events.
Stockard was one of the 11 finalists named in the competition on Friday, and on Sunday, she won the event. She was overcome with both shock and joy upon hearing her name called on the final day of the event.
She wasn’t the only person celebrating in Orlando Sunday night. Walker Kessler, whose Utah Jazz were in town to play the Magic over the weekend, captured his own reaction to Stockard’s win.
In a video now circulating social media, Kessler was seen watching the competition live on his phone. The drama was high as he awaited the call. The basketball star leapt up out of his chair upon hearing Abbie being announced as the champion.
According to NBA.com, Abbie Stockard became the fourth Miss Alabama to win the event, which comes with a $50,000 prize in scholarship money. That money will be put to good use by the Auburn student currently studying pediatrics.
It was a bit of an underdog story as Stockard admittedly got a late start in pageant competition. She only began after heading off to college as a 19-year-old freshman. A few short years later, she now owns the most prestigious title in the industry.
When not on the stage, she can be found at field level cheering on the Tigers. She should return to campus with plenty of fanfare!
Walker Kessler, meanwhile, will now continue through his 2025 NBA slate. The third-year pro is averaging a double-double thus far, posting 10.4 points and 11.3 boards a night in Utah.
The Jazz are just 9-25 through 34 games this season, but Kessler picked up two big wins on Sunday after knocking off the Magic, 105-92. The center recorded 10 points on 66.7% shooting to go along with 17 rebounds in the contest. It was an incredible day for both Kessler and Stockard!