Huskers Travel to North Carolina For Hearts Invite

The fifth-ranked Nebraska womens gymnastics team (3-2) will make its last road trip of the regular season when it heads to Raleigh, N.C., for the Sweetheart Invite hosted by North Carolina State. The meet marks the first time this season Nebraska will face multiple teams on the same day. The meet will feature the 24th-ranked Wolfpack along with Auburn and William & Mary.

The Huskers matchup with William & Mary marks the first meeting between the two teams, while Nebraska is 3-0 all-time against both Auburn and North Carolina State. However, Coach Dan Kendig has never faced Auburn in the regular season while at Nebraska. The last time the two teams met was in 1993, the year before Kendig took over the coaching reigns. The Huskers last faced North Carolina State at the 2001 Masters Classic.

Despite an off week, Nebraska remained at No. 5 in the latest poll and in the top 10 on every event. The Huskers moved up one spot to fourth on the balance beam (48.845) and also sit sixth on floor (49.170), eighth on bars (48.955) and ninth on (48.835).

The Huskers also have three gymnasts ranked in the top 25. Sophomore Tami Harris and junior A.J. Lamb are ranked in the all-around at No. 23 and No. 25, respectively. Lamb is the only Husker ranked on more than one event. An All-American on floor in 2000, Lamb is also ranked 17th nationally on the event. Junior Julie Houk, who has one four uneven bars this season, sits sixth on the uneven bars, the highest ranking of any Husker.

Scouting the Opponents
Auburn Under Coach Jeff Thompson, the Tigers, 4-6 on the season, are in the midst of a three-meet losing skid and will look to turn things around in Raleigh. The Tigers have several talented gymnasts, including senior Sally Cantrell, who sat out the 2001 season with an injury. Cantrell earned a perfect 10.0 on the balance beam against Centenary on Jan. 20, and also posted a career-high on bars with a 9.925, which ties for the third highest mark in Tiger history. Cantrells all-around total (39.35) against Centenary matched her career high and ranks third all-time at Auburn. Cantrell is currently ranked 20th on the balance beam (9.825) and 22nd on the uneven bars (9.837).

North Carolina State Coach Mark Stevenson has led the 24th-ranked Wolfpack to a 9-2 record this season, which includes wins over Brigham Young and Kentucky. N.C. State, which posted a season-high 194.825 at the Governors Cup on Feb. 2, has been led by a pair of seniors. Kelli Brown, the Packs only all-arounder, has won two uneven bars titles this season, including at the Bahama Breeze in January, the Packs season opener. Brown also won the floor exercise and finished second in the all-around in Nassau with a season-high 39.075, to earn co-EAGL Gymnast of the Week honors. Senior Laura Jazab has picked up the pace in her final season, capturing her first career title against Kent State on Jan. 20. After her first-place showing on the balance beam, Jazab posted a season-high 9.875 on the event at the Governors Cup.

William & Mary Under the guidance of Mary Lewis, the Tribe is 5-3 on the season and head to Raleigh with a two-meet win streak. Senior Nikki Dattoli has sparked the Tribe as of late. She was named the East Coast Athletic Conference co-Athlete of the Week following her performance against Rhode Island on Jan. 26, where she finished first on the vault and all-around and tied for first on the uneven bars. Her 9.90 on bars was a career high and tied the school record. Dattoli also scored a personal best 9.875 on floor exercise, which ranks among the top three all-time scores.

Houk is a Giant on Bars
Junior Julie Houk has been a force on the uneven bars for the Huskers this season and is ranked sixth on the event with an average score of 9.89. She was undefeated in the Huskers first four meets and earned a runner-up finish at Alabama on Feb. 2. A native of Hamilton, Ohio, Houk boasts one of the most difficult routines on the team. She is the only Husker to perform an uprise to a giant pirouette and a hop full release. In addition, her dismount, a double front with a half twist is the toughest of any Husker.

Houk opened the season with a 9.925 at Georgia, and she also posted consecutive winning scores of 9.875 against Iowa and Iowa State. Against MU, Houk tied teammate Tami Harris for the title with a 9.90.

Houk, who competed bars and floor last season, has also added vault to her repertoire, having competed exhibition on the event in the Huskers dual with Iowa State. She saw her first competition on vault against Missouri, earning a 9.55, and also competed against Alabama scoring a season-high 9.675.

In all, Houk has won 15 bars title in her three-year career, including two Big 12 titles. A two-time All-American, Houk has posted at least a 9.90 on the event 18 times, including nine 9.95s.

Lamb is All-Around Threat
Junior A.J. Lamb has made an impressive return to all-around competition, posting a season-high score of 39.30 against Missouri on Jan. 27, which included two event victories. Lamb won the balance beam with a 9.875, a mark that ties for the team high this season. She also won her second floor title tying the school record with a 9.95. A 2000 All-American on floor, Lamb is ranked 17th on the event with an average score of 9.895.

In five meets, Lamb has posted at least a 39.0 four times and is coming off a strong performance at Alabama. Lamb, ranked 25th in the nation, was the Huskers top all-arounder against the Crimson Tide and her 39.25 was her second highest total of the season and earned her runner-up honors. She also led Nebraska in the floor exercise with a team-high 9.90, the only Husker to record a 9.90 against the Crimson Tide.

Following a fifth-place finish in the all-around (39.0) at second-ranked Georgia on Jan. 6, Lamb captured two event titles to earn the second all-around title of her career with a score of 39.20 against Iowa on Jan. 13. She placed first on the balance beam with a score of 9.85 and won the floor title with a 9.875, helping the Huskers to a 194.60-193.225 victory over the Hawkeyes.

In the Huskers season opener against Georgia, the Lincoln, Neb., native competed on vault and bars for the first time since the 2000 Super Six Finals, and helped Nebraska tally 196.35 points, the highest season-opening score in school history. Lamb was hindered by a back injury last season that limited her to beam and floor as a sophomore, after competing in the all-around 11 times as a freshman, posting six scores of 39.0 or better.

Landgraf Coming on Strong
In Nebraskas last two meets, sophomore Libby Landgraf has really stepped things up. Against Alabama on Feb. 2, the Ft. Collins, Colo., native was the Huskers top vaulter, tying her career high with a 9.85. Landgraf, an All-Big 12 performer on floor, also posted a season-high score on floor earning a 9.875.

A three-event gymnast, Landgraf has also been a strong competitor on bars. She opened the season with a 9.85 at Georgia, which tied her career high, before earning a personal-best 9.875 against Missouri.

Landgraf is also one of only two Huskers (Tami Harris is the other) to compete a 10.0 vault in multiple meets this year. After starting the season with a handspring front pike, Landgraf added a half twist to bring the start value from a 9.90 to a 10.0. Landgraf earned a 9.70 in her first attempt at the new vault, before posting a 9.775 against Missouri. Last season, Landgraf competed a handspring double twist, which was also worth a 10.0 start value.

Newcomers Making Impact
Nebraskas newest team members are already making their presence known. Sophomore Richelle Simpson, a transfer from Penn State, has been a strong force in the all-around this season and has bettered 39.0 three times in five meets. She started her Husker career on a high note against Georgia, finishing third in the all-around with a score of 39.30, which included a fine performance on floor. Simpson, a strong tumbler, received a 9.95 for her routine to tie the school record on the event. Although she struggled on beam against Iowa, Simpson was solid on the three other events, including floor, where she finished second with a 9.85.

The Toronto, Ontario, native returned to form against Iowa State sharing runner-up honors in the all-around with teammate Tami Harris. Simpson captured her first event title as a Husker when she won the beam against the Cyclones. Her score of 9.875 ties for the highest on beam by a Husker this season.

Freshmen Jamie Saas and Carrie Gloudemans are also making the most of their opportunities. After competing on vault against Georgia, where she received a 9.65, Saas was in both the Huskers vault and beam lineups against Iowa. Saas, who anchored the Huskers beam unit, found herself in a tough situation as two of the Huskers first five gymnasts fell. Despite the pressure, Saas produced a solid routine, and scored a 9.675. She also received a 9.60 on vault. Against Iowa State, Saas again competed on vault and beam. This time she found herself in the second position on beam and scored a 9.70. The Aurora, Ill., native has improved in every meet on the balance beam this season and turned in an impressive performance at Alabama. After falling on a tumbling pass in her exhibition routine on floor, Saas rebounded to post a career-high 9.825, which tied teammates A.J. Lamb and Richelle Simpson for third.

Meanwhile Gloudemans has found herself in NUs floor lineup in each of the Huskers first five meets. The Neenah, Wis., native has been the epitome of consistency as she has scored no lower than 9.80 on the event. In three consecutive meets, Gloudemans has posted a 9.825, which included third-place finishes in each of the Huskers two home meets.

Gloudemans earned the highest score of her career against Georgia, when she scored a 9.85, helping Nebraska post a 49.425, which is just 0.075 points off the school record.

Bruce Vaulting to Top Finishes
Following a freshman campaign that saw her earn first-team All-America honors on vault, sophomore Gina Bruce has picked up where she left off last season. The Champlin, Minn., native opened the season with a 9.85 at Georgia, which ties Libby Landgraf for the top score by a Husker this season. Last season, Bruce captured one vault title (against Oregon State) and has come extremely close to adding a second event title. She has led the Huskers on the event in three of five meets this season and has earned three runner-up finishes.

Bruce has also competed on beam and bars for the Huskers in 2002. With Jess Wertz sidelined by an ankle injury, Bruce saw action on bars in NUs first four meets, posting a season-high 9.775 against Iowa State.

Goss is Solid in Senior Season
Senior Laura Goss, who has battled injuries and illness the last two years, seems to have pieced everything together for her final season. She has competed on the balance beam in every meet for the Huskers this season and has come through in fine fashion.

Goss, who competed in only four meets in 2001, tied her career high on the balance beam with a 9.875 against Georgia in the Huskers season opener. Interestingly, it seems Goss prefers the familiar surroundings of Georgias Stegeman Coliseum. The only other time the Austell, Ga., native posted a 9.875 on the event was at the 2000 Super Six Challenge also hosted by Georgia. After faltering on beam against Iowa, Goss rebounded at Iowa State, posting a 9.75.

Following a solid freshman campaign, Goss was an All-Big 12 performer on vault and beam as a sophomore, but struggled with injuries last season. After breaking into the Huskers vault lineup late in the season, Goss suffered a knee injury in practice prior to the NCAA Regional, which ended her season. In November, Goss was hospitalized after her kidneys shut down and missed several weeks of practice, but competed in the 2002 season opener.

All-Around Talent
In every meet this season, Nebraska has had three athletes compete in the all-around. The Huskers had their best all-around showing of the season against Alabama on Feb. 2, as all three gymnasts topped 39.125. The Huskers have scored 39.0 or better 10 times this season, led by junior A.J. Lamb, who has topped the mark in four out of five meets, including a season-high 39.30 against Missouri.

Against Iowa State, both Richelle Simpson and Tami Harris posted scores of 39.30. Simpson has achieved that total twice this season after opening the season with a 39.30 at Georgia. She also scored a 39.30 at Iowa State.

Ingrams Surgery Goes Well
Sophomore Alecia Ingram underwent successful shoulder surgery over the holidays. Ingram, who had the procedure in Nashville, Tenn., on Dec. 28, had a partial tear repaired as well as ligaments tightened in her left shoulder. Although the procedure was more extensive than originally planned, she is expected to make a full recovery.

The 2001 Big 12 Newcomer and Gymnast of the Year, Ingram was one of three Huskers to qualify for the NCAA Individual Event finals last season. In all, the Knoxville, Tenn., native captured 19 individual titles, including the Big 12 vault and bars titles.

Huskers Home Streak Hits 41
With its victory over Missouri on Jan. 27, Nebraska extended its regular season home winning streak to 41, including all 40 under coach Dan Kendig. In that stretch Nebraska has defeated 59 opponents, many ranked in the top 20 in the nation. The Huskers have not lost a regular season home meet since the 1993 Masters Classic.

The only times Nebraska has not taken first at home under Kendig were the 1995 Midwest Regional, when Nebraska finished second to NCAA champion Utah, and the 1999 Region 3 Championships when the Huskers finished second to NCAA runner-up Michigan.

Home Meets Live on the Web
Fans can follow Nebraska gymnastics live on the official home of Nebraska athletics huskers.com. Live stats from all of Nebraskas home meets and select road meets will be updated throughout the competition. This will mark the fifth consecutive season with live scoring during home meets.

Live streaming video was unveiled for Nebraskas home opener with Iowa on Jan. 13. After a successful debut, the live video will be available for every regular season home meet. Anyone with a broadband connection (cable, DSL, etc.) can view the HuskerVision feed, which helps fans feel like theyre actually in the arena.

Husker Tidbits
* - Despite the off week, Nebraska remained ranked in the top 10 on every event and held onto their No. 5 team ranking. The Huskers even moved up one place on beam from fifth to fourth (48.845). NU also sits sixth on floor (49.17), eighth on bars (48.955) and ninth on vault (48.835).

* - Nebraska is 3-2 on the season with both losses coming on the road to top-five teams (No. 2 Georgia and No. 5 Alabama)

* - The Huskers matchup with William & Mary marks the first meeting between the two teams. Nebraska is 3-0 all-time against both Auburn and North Carolina State. However, Coach Dan Kendig has never faced Auburn in the regular season while at Nebraska. The last time the two teams met was in 1993, the year before Kendig took over the coaching reigns, while the Huskers last faced North Carolina State at the 2001 Masters Classic.

* - This weekends competition will mark the first time this season the Huskers will compete against multiple teams. Under Kendig, the Huskers have posted an impressive quadrangular record, winning 23 of 29 (79.3 percent) four-team meets. The last time the Huskers failed to claim top honors was at the 2000 Big 12 Championships, where they placed second to Iowa State.

* - The trip to North Carolina will also mark a homecoming of sorts for junior Jen French. The meet will be the first for French, a native of Greensboro, in her home state.

* - The Huskers posted a season-high 49.00 on vault against Alabama marking the first time this season Nebraska has reached the 49 point plateau on that event.

* - Nebraskas score of 196.10 was the second highest team total of the season. The Huskers have topped 196 three times in 2002 and all three have come on the road (at Georgia, at Iowa State, at Alabama).

* - The Huskers had their best all-around showing of the season in Tuscaloosa as all three all-arounders topped 39.125. The Huskers have scored 39.0 or better 10 times this season, led by A.J. Lamb, who has topped the mark four out of five meets.

* - The Alabama meet also marked the return of junior Jess Wertz. An All-Big 12 performer, Wertz competed on bars for the Huskers posting a 9.75 and also competed exhibition on vault. The Lebanon, Ohio, native had been sidelined with an ankle injury for NUs first four meets.

* - Against Missouri, the Huskers had a season-high four athletes compete 10.0 vaults. Tami Harris has competed a full-twisting Yurchenko in all three meets, while Libby Landgraf has competed a handspring front pike with a half twist in the Huskers last three meets. In addition, Bruce also competed a handspring front pike with a half twist, while Richelle Simpson unveiled a half-on, half-off, front layout against the Tigers.

* - Also against Missouri, Nebraska broke 49.0 on the uneven bars for the first time this season, posting a 49.275. Following a 48.975 in their first meet against Georgia, NU struggled at home versus Iowa before rebounding to post a 48.975 at Iowa State. Now that the rankings have switched to average score, Nebraska has attained its highest ranking of the season on the event, sitting sixth with a 48.956 average. The Huskers failed to top 49.0 on the event only once in 2001, recording a 48.625 in their season opener. The Huskers reeled off 14 straight scores of 49 or better last season, including a school-record 49.725 at the Big 12 Championships.