Huskers Finish Fourth at NCAA Super Six Finals

Women's GymnasticsApril 25, 2003

Huskers Finish Fourth at NCAA Super Six Finals

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Lincoln ? The Nebraska women?s gymnastics team put forth a valiant effort at the NCAA Super Six team finals Friday night at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, but couldn?t recover from a rocky start on the uneven bars and finished fourth with a score of 197.125, just 0.70 behind first.

The Huskers, who were competing in their fifth consecutive Super Six final, improved upon last year?s fifth-place finish at Alabama. Nebraska matched its best finish ever at the national championship, as the Huskers also placed fourth in 2000 and 1989.

UCLA was crowned the national champion with a score of 197.825. The Bruins were followed by Alabama (197.275), Georgia (197.150), Nebraska (197.125), Michigan (196.050) and Utah (195.300).

Nebraska opened the competition on the uneven bars. The Huskers hit their first three routines, but ended up scoring a 48.800, which tied for the meet low, after Tiffany Byrd and Tami Harris both fell.

NU battled back with a 49.400 on beam, which was the second-best team score on the event. After the Huskers posted a 49.375 team score on floor, junior Richelle Simpson recorded a 9.975 on the vault to lead the Huskers to a 49.550 on the event, which was the top score of the team competition on that event.

Uneven Bars?NU began the evening on the bars in the second rotation. Simpson led the Husker contingent, posting a 9.950 in the event. Seniors Julie Houk and A.J. Lamb both scored 9.90s to contribute to the Huskers? effort, but NU unfortunately had to count a fall on the bars, as the fourth and fifth gymnasts in the lineup, juniors Byrd and Harris, both fell. Junior Libby Landgraf also scored a 9.875 for the Huskers. NU finished the event with a team total of 48.800, falling behind Alabama, UCLA, Georgia and Michigan.

Beam?The Huskers rebounded with a strong performance on beam, as all six gymnasts hit their routines. Simpson once again led the Huskers with a score of 9.925. Lamb added a 9.90, while sophomore Jamie Saas and senior Jen French both captured 9.875s. Byrd posted a 9.775 in the event, as NU finished with a team total of 49.400. The Huskers continued to fall behind the competition after the third rotation, as UCLA extended its lead.

Floor?NU had a steady performance on the floor exercise. Each gymnast hit their routine and scored above a 9.825. Simpson continued to lead the Huskers into the fifth rotation, as she posted a 9.950, which tied for the top score of the evening on the event. In addition, Lamb scored a 9.925, while French scored a 9.850. Houk and sophomore Carrie Gloudemans, who filled in for Harris, both secured scores of 9.825. The Huskers stayed consistent in their team scoring, as they finished the event with a team total of 49.375. Heading into the sixth rotation, NU was behind the competition with an overall score of 147.250.

Vault?The Huskers finished the evening with a solid performance on beam, as all six gymnasts hit their routines. Simspon recorded the highest score of the evening with a 9.975. Lamb finished with a 9.95, while sophomore Gina Bruce had another stellar performance, scoring a 9.90. In addition, Harris came back to compete on the vault, scoring a 9.875. Overall, Harris treated the crowd to a gutsy performance after a fall on the uneven bars Thursday sent her to the hospital for stitches and Xrays (negative) on both lower legs. Senior Jess Wertz posted a 9.850 and Landgraf captured a 9.825 for the Huskers. The Huskers finished the evening with a 49.550 on vault.

2003 NCAA Super Six

Nebraska Individual Super Six Results

Vault

A.J. Lamb ? 9.950

Jess Wertz ? 9.850

Libby Landgraf ? 9.825

Tami Harris ? 9.875

Richelle Simpson ? 9.975

Gina Bruce ? 9.900

Total ? 49.55

Bars

Libby Landgraf ? 9.875