No. 4 Cyclones Rally Past Huskers

Ames, Iowa ? The eighth-ranked Nebraska women’s gymnastics team lost its first Big 12 meet of the season, as fourth-ranked Iowa State defeated NU in a dual at Hilton Coliseum Friday night, 196.925-196.275.  The Huskers fell to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in the Big 12, as the Cyclones captured its third win of the season and remained undefeated overall and 2-0 in the Big 12.

 

“I thought we performed better than last week, and I think that is what we were after.  We always have close meets up here, but it looks like they had the upper hand tonight,” Head Coach Dan Kendig said.  “We are a young team, and we are still making young mistakes.”

 

The Huskers scored above 49.0 in three events, the vault (49.225), the balance beam (49.10), and the floor exercise (49.075), but it was not enough to rally past the Cyclones.  Senior Richelle Simpson captured first-place honors in two events, as she tied for first on the uneven bars (9.85) and secured a first-place finish on the vault (9.95).  Senior Tami Harris secured top-five finishes on two events, as she captured third place on the uneven bars (9.825) and tied for fourth place on the floor exercise (9.875).  Freshman Stephanie Carter also finished in the top five in two events, tying for fourth place on the vault (9.85) and third place on the balance beam (9.85).   

 

The Huskers began the evening on the uneven bars with solid performances from five of its gymnasts, as the Huskers hit five out of its six bar routines.  Simpson led the Huskers with a 9.85 and captured first-place honors, while Harris scored a 9.825 and tied for third.  Freshman Kristi Esposito cranked out a 9.775 and senior Libby Landgraf scored a 9.75 to contribute to a strong performance on the bars.  In addition, freshman Natasha Gowda added a 9.675.

 

Upon entering the second rotation, the Huskers trailed the Cyclones, 49.25-48.875.  On vault, Simpson led the Huskers.  She scored a 9.95 and captured first-place honors in the event, while Landgraf scored a 9.875 to place third.  Carter had another solid vault for the Huskers, scoring a 9.85 and tying for fourth place, while freshmen Michele Zabawa and Esposito both scored 9.775s in the event.  At the end of the second rotation, the Huskers continued to trail the Cyclones, 98.225-98.100.         

 

The Huskers began the third rotation on the floor exercise, as the squad hit five of its six routines.  Harris led the Huskers with a 9.875 and finished in fourth place, while Gowda and Esposito both scored 9.85 to lead the Huskers.  In addition, senior Gina Bruce scored a 9.825 and Carter scored a 9.675.  The Huskers finished with a team total 49.075.  The Cyclones extended its lead over the Huskers, 149.475-149.175 at the end of the third rotation.

 

The Huskers capped off its evening on the balance beam, as the Huskers were led by Simpson, Carter and junior Jamie Saas, who all scored 9.85 in the event in a four-way tie for third place.  Gowda also had strong beam routine, scoring 9.80, while Esposito and Landgraf both added a 9.75 to NU’s effort.

 

“The beauty of it all is that we have a full week of practice next week.  We are looking forward to getting back into the gym,” Kendig said.  “We need to head back into the gym and work and make adjustments.”

 

The Huskers will next host Missouri at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, Saturday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m.