Huskers Host Double Dual Against Ohio State

Lincoln - The eighth-ranked Nebraska women’s gymnastics team (3-2) will host a double dual with the men’s team against Ohio State, Sunday, Feb. 15, at the Bob Devaney Sports Center at 7:30 p.m. The dual will also be featured live on HuskersNSide on a subsciption basis. For more information, please visit www.huskers.com.

Nebraska is coming off a close win against Big 12 opponent Oklahoma. NU defeated then-No. 10 Oklahoma, 196.600-196.350, at the Lloyd Noble Center, Feb. 6.

The Huskers were led by seniors Tami Harris and Libby Landgraf, who finished second (39.35) and third (39.275), respectively, in the all-around. Harris tied for first place on the uneven bars (9.90), while Landgraf captured third place on the vault (9.825) and tied for fifth on the uneven bars (9.85). In addition, freshman Kristi Esposito finished in the top five in three events. The Slidell, La., native tied for first on uneven bars (9.90) and tied for third on the balance beam (9.875) and floor exercise (9.90). The Huskers scored above 49.0 in three events, including uneven bars (49.325),balance beam (49.225) and floor exercise (49.250). NU also scored a season best on the uneven bars with a 49.325, as all five gymnasts scored above 9.85 on the uneven bars.

Scouting the Buckeyes
Ohio State women’s gymnastics team (7-2, 0-1 Big Ten) won the All-Ohio Championship meet with victories over then-No. 19 Kent State and Bowling Green, Feb. 8. The Buckeyes scored a 195.450 to defeat Kent State (195.375) and Bowling Green (193.725). The victory was Ohio State’s third championship in the past four years.

The Buckeyes placed first on vault (48.950) and balance beam (48.825), while Kent State won the floor exercise competition (49.400) and the uneven bars (48.925). The Buckeyes were led by Tiffanie Janke and junior Elizabeth Meaney. Meaney and Janke both tied for first place on the vault and balance beam, while senior Megan Porter placed third on uneven bars (9.850).

Nebraska Notes

- Nebraska earned its highest opening-meet score in school history (196.550) against Michigan Jan. 11, topping the previous record of 196.450 against Georgia in 2003.

- Freshman Kristi Esposito scored a 9.925 in her debut against Michigan, and then matched the mark against Missouri on the floor exercise to tie the freshman record in the event.

- Senior Libby Landgraf took first-place honors on the uneven bars, scoring a 9.90, as the senior matched her career high in the event against Michigan, Jan. 11.

- Senior Richelle Simpson captured the all-around title with a score of 39.70 against Michigan Jan. 11 including first-place honors on the vault (9.975) and floor exercise (9.95).

- The win against Missouri marked Nebraska’s 51st consecutive regular-season home win dating back to the 1993 season.

- Two Huskers, seniors Libby Landgraf and Richelle Simpson, scored above a 9.90 on the vault against Missouri, Jan. 31. Landgraf tied her career-high 9.925 in the event.

- Senior Libby Landgraf and freshman Kristi Esposito led the Huskers in the all-around, tying with a 39.425 to finish first against Missouri, Jan. 31.

- Senior Gina Bruce became the sixth Husker in school history to score a perfect 10.0 on the vault against Missouri, Jan. 31. She was the first Husker to score a perfect 10.0 on any apparatus this season for the Huskers.

- NU secured a team total of 49.60 on the vault against Missouri, which marks the third-highest score in school history.

- Eight Huskers combined to capture 15 season-high scores, while six Huskers combined to capture seven career-high scores against Missouri, Jan. 31.

- Esposito finished in the top five in three events, tying for first on uneven bars (9.90) and tying for third on the balance beam (9.875) and floor exercise (9.90) against Oklahoma, Feb. 6.

Huskers Home Streak at 51

With its victory over Missouri Jan. 31, Nebraska extended its regular-season home meet winning streak to 51, including 50 straight under coach Dan Kendig. In that stretch, Nebraska has faced 71 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; the 1999 Region 3 Championships, when the Huskers finished second to NCAA runner-up Michigan; and the 2003 NCAA Super Six Finals, when the Huskers finished fourth.

Bruce Scores Perfect 10

In 2003, senior Gina Bruce captured her first perfect 10 on the vault, but it was in an exhibition. This season, Bruce is making the most of her opportunities, and it showed against Missouri, Jan. 31. The Huskers began the evening on the vault, and Bruce was the fifth gymnast in the lineup. She landed a perfect vault, and NU was off to its best start on any event this season. Bruce became the sixth Husker in school history to score a perfect 10.00 on the vault, and the first Husker to score a perfect 10.00 on any apparatus this season for the Huskers. The team secured a team total of 49.60 on the vault, which marks the third-highest score in school history.

Freshman Esposito Continues to Excel

Freshman Kristi Esposito continues to improve week by week. The Slidell, La., native set a new career high and a new season best in the all-around against Missouri, Jan. 31. She scored a 39.425 to tie senior Libby Landgraf for first place in the all-around. Esposito also improved upon her individual scores in every event, capturing new career highs and season bests on the vault and the balance beam. She also tied her career high of 9.925 on the floor exercise.

Against Missouri, she scored 9.85 for the Huskers on the vault. The 9.85 was also a season best and career high for the freshman. She also added a solid performance on the bars, scoring a 9.85, while scoring a 9.80 for a new season best and career high on the balance beam. In addition, Esposito scored a 9.925 to tie for runner-up honors in the event, while tying her career high and season best on the event.

At Oklahoma, Esposito finished in the top five in three events. She tied for first on uneven bars (9.90) and tied for third on the balance beam (9.875) and floor exercise (9.90)

NU’s Landgraf Earns Big 12 Honors of the Week
Nebraska’s Libby Landgraf finished second (39.35) in the all-around against No. 1 Utah to earn Big 12 Gymnast-of-the-Week honors the week of Jan. 19.

The senior from Fort Collins, Colo., secured top-five finishes on all four events, including a tie for third on balance beam (9.85), while tying for fourth on both vault (9.80) and uneven bars (9.85).