Nebraska Heads To Oklahoma For Quadrangle

Lincoln -- Following their stunning upset of Ohio State last weekend, 214.925-213.425, the Huskers head out on the road once again to take on Oklahoma, Michigan, and Minnesota in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. This will be Nebraska’s first encounter with both No. 7 Michigan and No. 9 Minnesota and its second with third-ranked Oklahoma. The Huskers fell to OU, 204.825-211.400, at the Rocky Mountain Open at the beginning of the 2004 season.

Coming off of their most successful competition of the season, the Huskers are primed and ready to take on three of the most talented teams in the MPSF. This week, senior Josh Rasile jumped up two positions in the vaulting polls after his career high performance against Ohio State (9.6). In addition, freshman Jason Wassung found himself a place among the top-20 parallel bar competitors, tying Ohio State's Ron Ferris for 18th with a score of 8.7. Such an accomplishment after his first collegiate competition on the parallel bars is sure to signify the impact that this young Lincoln native could have on Nebraska.

Fellow freshman Paul Chumreonlert has also become a force to reckon with in the NU lineup. Chumreonlert has consistently put up scores in the 9.00s this season on both the pommel horse and still rings, and took home third place in both events last weekend against the Buckeyes with personal bests of 9.2 and 9.45, respectively.

Once again however, it will be junior Mace Patterson who leads the Huskers this weekend against Oklahoma, Michigan, and Minnesota. Coming off of monumental success against the Buckeyes, Patterson has simply proven his status as the Nebraska team leader. Setting career highs on the floor (9.4), pommel horse (9.4), and all-around (54.825), Patterson led the Huskers with four individual titles. His performance on the high bar in the final rotation also served to clinch the Nebraska team title and propel the Huskers to their first home win this season.

Scouting Oklahoma, Michigan, and Minnesota

Oklahoma
The defending national champion Sooners have returned in search of a second consecutive national title in 2004, and have recently elevated themselves to the No. 3 spot in the polls. After dethroning No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 California last weekend behind a season-high score of 219.600, the Sooners head into this Saturday’s competition sporting a roster packed with MPSF talent.

Senior co-captain, Heath Mueller has had an outstanding final year with the Sooners. At the Winter Cup in Las Vegas, Nev. Mueller boasted the top all-around score for gymnasts competing from his region, and was consequently named the Midwest Region Gymnast-of-the-Week. Mueller is currently ranked just one spot ahead of Nebraska all-arounder Mace Patterson at 16th in the national polls.

Michigan
Seventh-ranked Michigan boasts an abundance of talent throughout its roster which has been evident in the national polls, where they have placed seven gymnasts in the top-20 individual rankings across the board, including six in the floor exercise alone.

Junior Geoff Corrigan is Michigan’s highest rated all-arounder in the third-place spot, followed closely by red shirt freshman Andre Hernandez in fourth. But perhaps Michigan’s biggest threat is sophomore Justin Laury. Laury, the number 11 all-arounder in the nation, is also ranked in the floor (4th) and high bar (6th). He has earned four event titles this season and a trip to the Winter Cup in Las Vegas, Nev., where he finished 23rd in the all-around, third on the parallel bars (8.75), second on rings (9.15), and took home the title on the high bar (9.35).

Minnesota
The No. 9 Minnesota Gophers have only one win thus far this season. However, pitted against teams such as Ohio State, Illinois, and Michigan already this season, Minnesota has had more than its share of formidable opponents. Leading the Gopher lineup is junior all-arounder Guillermo Alvarez. Alvarez is currently ranked eighth in the national all-around standings and has also had tremendous success on the floor this season, wracking up three titles in that event.

Husker History

vs. Oklahoma
The last time the Huskers beat the Sooners was in 1999, 227.075-224.175. This was also the last time that Nebraska finished the season with a winning record. The last time Nebraska and Oklahoma met was earlier this season at the Rocky Mountain Open. The Sooners came out on top 211.400-204.825 as the Huskers ended with their lowest score of 2004. Nebraska and Oklahoma will compete yet again after this weekend’s meet when the Sooners travel to Lincoln on March 12 to meet up with the Huskers and Air Force.

vs. Michigan
Nebraska and Michigan have yet to compete in 2004, and this Saturday’s quadrangle could be their only opportunity during the regular season. The last time these two MPSF competitors met was in 2003 at the Stanford Quadrangle, where the Wolverines came out ahead of the Huskers 211.075-209.125. In fact, Nebraska has yet to beat Michigan in its entire history of competition which extends back to 1983.

vs. Minnesota
A regular rival for the Huskers, the Gophers have seen wins and losses against Nebraska in nearly every season since 1964. The last Nebraska and Minnesota met was in 2003, when the Huskers sported their best team score of the season, 214.625-211.60.