Huskers Qualify for NCAAs

Raleigh, N.C. ? The 13th-ranked Nebraska women’s gymnastics team finished in second place with a score of 196.375 at the 2004 Southeast Regional Gymnastics Championships at Reynolds Coliseum Saturday evening. The top-two finish sends the Huskers to their sixth straight NCAA Championship appearance in two weeks.

Top-ranked UCLA finished in first place (197.325), while North Carolina took third place (196.35), West Virginia finished in fourth place (195.275), Maryland in fifth place (194.575) and North Carolina State in sixth place (194.375).

"I think biggest thing is that we have lived to see another day. We are very happy to be going to nationals," Head Coach Dan Kendig said. "We have faced many hurdles throughout the season, and this team has stuck together. I am very proud of them."

NU narrowly defeated North Carolina by .025 points, while advancing to the NCAA national championships. The Huskers hit 23 of 24 routines, scoring above 49.0 in three events, the vault (49.30), the balance beam (49.175) and the floor exercise (49.125).

Freshman Kristi Esposito led the Huskers in the all-around competition, finishing in fourth place with a score of 39.425. She tied for 12th place on the vault (9.85), tied for sixth on the uneven bars (9.80), tied for eighth on the balance beam (9.875) and tied for second place on the floor exercise (9.90). Senior Tami Harris tied for seventh place (39.15) in the all-around, while senior Libby Landgraf tied for fourth place (9.90) on the vault, tied for sixth place (9.80) on the uneven bars, and tied for 11th place (9.85) on the floor exercise. Freshman Stephanie Carter tied for fourth place (9.90) on the vault, while junior Jamie Saas tied in eighth place (9.875) on the balance beam.

Vault
NU had a solid performance on the vault, as all six of the Huskers hit their vaults with each gymnast scoring above 9.80 in the event. Freshman Stephanie Carter and Landgraf led the Huskers, scoring 9.90 and tying for fourth place. Freshman Kristi Esposito posted a 9.85, while seniors Gina Bruce and Tami Harris each scored 9.825. Freshman Michele Zabawa added a 9.80. NU finished the event with a 49.30, its highest score of the evening on any apparatus.

Uneven Bars
The Huskers hit all of their bars routines in their first rotation, as Esposito and Landgraf led the Huskers with a 9.80 and tied for sixth place in the event. Senior Tami Harris added a 9.775, while freshman Michele Zabawa and senior Gina Bruce both scored 9.7. Freshman Natasha Gowda scored a 9.55, as the Huskers finished the event with a team total of 48.775.

Balance Beam
The Huskers went five for six on the balance beam, as junior Jamie Saas and Esposito led the Huskers, tying for eighth place with a 9.875. Harris posted a solid 9.85, while Zabawa added a 9.80 to aid the Huskers’ efforts in the event. In addition, Carter scored a 9.775, as the Huskers finished the event with a 49.175.

Floor Exercise
NU went six for six in the event with each gymnast scoring above 9.70, as Esposito led the Huskers, scoring a 9.90 and tying for runner-up honors in the event. Landgraf added a solid 9.85, while Bruce posted a 9.825. In addition, Zabawa scored a 9.80 and Carter scored a 9.75. Harris also scored a 9.70, as NU finished on the event with a 49.125.

The Huskers will travel to Los Angeles, Calif. for the NCAA national championships, April 15-17 hosted by UCLA.