No. 3 Huskers Take Second at Arkansas

Fayetteville, Ark. ? The No. 3 Nebraska women’s gymnastics team placed second at the Arkansas Quadrangular by posting a score of 196.625 to narrowly finish behind No. 5 UCLA (196.85) and ahead of No. 14 Arkansas (195.625) and No. 12 Oregon State (195.55).

The competition brought Nebraska to a record of 11-5 on the season, as NU scored a 49.0 or better on all four events. The Huskers set or tied three season- or career-high scores en route to their second-place finish.

Senior Richelle Simpson turned in a stellar performance, placing fourth in the all-around with a score of 39.475. The Toronto, Ontario, native won the floor exercise title with her eighth career perfect 10.0 while also finishing third on beam and eighth on vault.

“Richelle had such a great competition today,” Head Coach Dan Kendig said. “She had a strong beam routine, then earned a 10.0 on floor. She had a solid vault with a 9.85 and a good bar performance here. I’m proud of her effort. I’m proud of the effort of our entire team.”

Nebraska began the competition on balance beam, where Simpson led the way with a 9.90 to place third. Sophomore Kristi Esposito followed with a 9.85 for eighth, while senior Jamie Saas finished with a 9.80. Sophomore Stephanie Carter added a 9.75, and sophomore Michele Zabawa left the event with a 9.725. NU finished beam with a 49.025 to head into the second rotation.

The Huskers then moved on to floor exercise, where they found a flawless performance from Simpson, whose perfect 10.0 put her in first place. Freshman Emily Parsons scored a season-high 9.95 to place second, and Esposito added a 9.85 for seventh. Saas tied her season best with a 9.825, and Carter matched her score to tie for eighth. Freshman Brittney Williams’ 9.80 put her in 10th, and Nebraska ended floor with a season-high 49.45. 

NU continued to vault for the third rotation, and Carter and Parsons each scored a 9.875 to tie for sixth. Simpson followed in eighth (9.85), while Zabawa earned a 9.80. Williams scored a 9.625, and Nebraska’s team total was a 49.10 to finish the event.

The Huskers capped the evening on the uneven bars, where Zabawa and Desire’ Sniatynski led the way with a 9.85 each to tie for first-place honors. Williams and Esposito both added a 9.80 for sixth, and Parsons scored a 9.75. Simpson earned a 9.725, bringing NU to a team score of 49.050.

“What a tremendous effort our team gave tonight,” Kendig said. “These athletes should be very proud and should go home with confidence to go into the Big 12 Championships next week. The last five weeks will define our season, and they are healthy and ready to go. We are anxious to get the championship part of our season under way.” 

The Huskers will travel to Norman, Okla., next Saturday, March 26 for the Big 12 Championships at the University of Oklahoma. Nebraska is 3-1 in conference action this season and will look for its seventh Big 12 title in program history.

BEAM
Nebraska
Michele Zabawa             9.725
Stephanie Carter            9.75
Jamie Saas                   9.80
Emily Parsons               9.25
Richelle Simpson           9.90     
Kristi Esposito               9.85                                         
Team Score                  49.025

FLOOR
Nebraska
Kristi Esposito               9.85
Jamie Saas                   9.825 (tied season high)
Brittney Williams           9.80
Stephanie Carter            9.825
Emily Parsons               9.95 (season high)
Richelle Simpson           10.0 (season high, 8th career 10.0)
Team Score                  49.450 (season high)

 

VAULT
Nebraska
Brittney Williams           9.625
Desire’ Sniatynski          9.70
Michele Zabawa             9.80
Stephanie Carter            9.875
Emily Parsons               9.875
Richelle Simpson           9.85                                         
Team Total                   49.100                          

 

BARS
Nebraska
Emily Parsons               9.75
Brittney Williams           9.80
Richelle Simpson           9.725
Michele Zabawa             9.85
Kristi Esposito               9.80
Desire’ Sniatynski          9.85
Team Total                   49.050              

 

All-Around
Richelle Simpson           39.475
Emily Parsons               38.825

 

Final Team Scores
UCLA                196.85
Nebraska              196.625
Arkansas          195.625
Oregon State     195.55

 

Attendance: 2248

 

First Rotation
Nebraska              49.025
UCLA                48.925
Arkansas           48.700
Oregon State     48.30

 

Second Rotation
Nebraska           98.475
UCLA                98.125
Arkansas           97.425
Oregon State     97.375

 

Third Rotation
Nebraska               147.575
UCLA                147.40
Arkansas          146.70
Oregon State     146.35

 

Fourth Rotation
UCLA                196.85
Nebraska              196.625
Arkansas          195.625
Oregon State     195.55