Huskers Rank 10th in Preseason Poll

The <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>University of Nebraska men’s gymnastics team earned national recognition this week, as the Huskers were ranked 10th in the NCAA preseason coaches poll released Thursday.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Nebraska returns 12 letterwinners this season, including 2003 All-American Steven Friedman, from a team which finished fourth last season at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships.

 

Oklahoma, last year’s NCAA runner-up, headlines the poll in the No. 1 spot, followed by Illinois, which finished third.  Defending national champion Penn State, rounds out the top three teams.

 

Nebraska begins its season on Friday, January 14 in Colorado Springs, Colo., at the annual Rocky Mountain Open.  The meet, hosted by Air Force, kicks off at 8 p.m. central time on Friday with the team competition, followed by individual event finals on Saturday, January 15 at 2 p.m.

 

Nebraska’s first home meet of the 2005 season will be February 20 against Oklahoma at the Devaney Sports Center.  This is one of three meets hosted by the Huskers this season, the other two taking place on March 6 and 13, against Minnesota and Air Force, respectively.  All home meets are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.