Huskers Climb to Ninth Nationally

Lincoln ? The Nebraska women’s gymnastics team is ranked ninth nationally this week in the latest National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches poll released Tuesday.

The Huskers also rank first in the NCAA South Central region, one spot ahead of Saturday’s opponent, No. 10 Oklahoma, heading into this weekend’s home opener. It is the first time this season that NU has been ranked ahead of the Sooners, who ended NU’s streak of three straight Big 12 titles in 2004.

Most recently, NU captured its first win of the season, defeating Missouri, 196.80-195.575. The Huskers scored above 49.00 in three events ? vault, balance beam and floor exercise ? en route to their best score of the year.

Senior All-American Richelle Simpson led the way, capturing two individual titles on beam (9.925) and vault, an event where she scored the team’s first perfect 10.0 of the season. Sophomore Kristi Esposito claimed the all-around title 38.850 while freshmen Emily Parsons and Desire Sniatynski took titles on floor (9.925) and bars (9.875), respectively.

The Huskers will open the home portion of its schedule against the Sooners this Saturday, Feb. 5, at 7:30 p.m.

-- Huskers --