Huskers Win Team Title, Hardabura Wins All-Around

In its first meet in nearly a month, the Nebraska men's gymnastics team won four event titles on its way to capturing the team title in a triangular with Air Force and UC-Santa Barbara on Friday at Robertson Gym. The Huskers tallied 207.100 points, bettering runner-up UC-Santa Barbara's score of 200.200, while Air Force finished third with 198.550 points.

Nebraska had not faced another team since Jan. 19, when it opened its season with a second-place finish at the Rocky Mountain Open.

"We needed this meet," Head Coach Francis Allen said. "We did a good job."

For the second consecutive meet, senior Jason Hardabura captured the all-around title on the strength of first-place finishes on two events. The senior from Oakville, Ontario, scored an 8.900 to capture his second pommel horse title this season, and also finished first on vault with a season-high score of 9.200 to propel him to the all-around title. Hardabura's score of 52.350, coupled with his first meet total of 51.700, moved him into fourth in the nation with an all-around average of 52.025.

Senior Grant Clinton, competing in his first meet this season, showed no ill effects from preseason knee surgery. The Katy, Texas, native, won the rings title with a team season-high score of 9.200, and finished second on high bar with an 8.900. Clinton underwent knee surgery Jan. 10 to repair torn cartilage in his right knee.

Junior Martin Fournier captured the Huskers' final event title, scoring his first 9.00 of the season to win the high bar. Fournier, who also placed second on the parallel bars (8.650), finished second in the all-around with a season-high score of 51.350. Sophomore Ryan Sneed was also solid for the Huskers, tying his career-high on vault with an 8.95 to finish fourth.

Freshman Josh Rasile, who arrived on campus in January, seems to have adjusted quickly to collegiate gymnastics. The Phoenix, Ariz., native finished second on floor with a score of 9.050, nearly 1.5 points higher than his first attempt in the event.

Despite the layoff from competition, the Huskers recorded season-high scores in every event but vault. Now that Nebraska has the prerequisite two meet minimum, the Huskers will likely secure a place among the top 15 in the national rankings.

"The guys need to get the meets in," Allen said. "They need to know they're capable of winning events. They need that. It's a confidence booster."

The Huskers return home to face No. 7 Iowa Feb. 23, at Pershing Auditorium. The first rotation will begin at 7:30 p.m.