Women's GymnasticsMarch 26, 2005

No. 4 Huskers Capture Big 12 Title

Name: Nebraska at Big 12 Championships
Start: 2005-03-27T00:00:00.000000Z
Location: Norman, Okla.

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Norman, Okla. ? The No. 4 Nebraska women’s gymnastics team posted a score of 196.65 to reclaim its place as Big 12 Conference champions in front of 1,155 fans at the University of Oklahoma’s LloydNobleCenter on Saturday night.

The Huskers improved to 14-5 on the season, scoring 49.0 or better on vault, uneven bars and floor exercise.

With the win, NU earned its seventh Big 12 title in nine seasons, as well as its 19th conference championship in Nebraska gymnastics history.

Three Huskers earned five individual titles in the all-around, balance beam, uneven bars and floor exercise.

Senior Richelle Simpson led the way, capturing her second Big 12 all-around title (39.525) and her third career conference titles on floor (9.90) and beam (9.85). Simpson also finished second on vault (9.90) and fourth on bars (9.85).

In addition, sophomore Michele Zabawa won her first conference event title, finishing first on bars with a 9.90. Freshman Emily Parsons, the 2005 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, tied for the beam title with Simpson, while also finishing fifth in the all-around (39.275) and second on vault (9.90).

“Richelle has meant so much to our program. She had an incredible performance tonight,” Nebraska Coach Dan Kendig said. “We’re so proud of Emily Parsons being the Newcomer of the Year. She is a dynamic, powerful gymnast who came in and made a big impact on our team and will only continue to improve. Seeing Michele win the bars title was such an honor. She was one of our athletes struggling on bars all week, but she got herself in the moment and really nailed the routine.”

Nebraska began the competition on balance beam, where Parsons and Simpson led the way with a 9.85 each to tie for first. Sophomore Kristi Esposito followed in third (9.825), while senior Jamie Saas added a 9.725 for 13th. Zabawa finished 15th with a 9.65, and sophomore Stephanie Carter’s 9.55 left her in 18th place NU completed the event with a score of 48.900.

The Huskers then moved on to the floor exercise and found a stellar performance from Simpson, whose 9.925 gave her the event title, and Saas, who turned in a career-high 9.90 to place third. Parsons and freshman Brittney Williams both added a 9.85 for ninth, and Esposito scored a 9.825, finishing 12th. Carter’s 9.75 left her in a tie for 17th, putting Nebraska’s event score at 49.35.

NU added a solid team performance on vault in the third rotation, as Simpson and Parsons tied for second-place honors with a 9.90 each. Carter scored a 9.85 for eighth, and Zabawa matched her mark with a season-high 9.85 of her own. Williams posted a career-high 9.825 for 12th, while freshman Desire’ Sniatynski added a 9.80 to place 14th, bringing Nebraska to an event score of 49.325.

The Huskers headed into their final rotation on the uneven bars with nearly a full one-point lead over the competition. Zabawa gave a strong finish, earning a 9.90 to tie her season best and earn the Big 12 uneven bars title. Simpson added a 9.85 for fourth-place honors, and Williams and Sniatynski scored a 9.80 each to tie for sixth. Esposito’s 9.725 earned her 15th place, and Parsons scored a 9.675. NU finished with a 49.075, more than enough to earn the team championship.

“What a day this has been,” Kendig said. “Winning the Big 12 championship means so much to our team and our school. The best thing is that we haven’t peaked yet. There are bigger and better things every gymnast is capable of, but we’re going to cherish this day and this moment. This was great preparation for NCAA Regionals, and we’ll need the support of our fans in Lincoln. This team is something special, and it’s the last time the Lincoln community will see our gymnasts, especially Richelle and Jamie, at home.”

The Huskers will return home to Lincoln for their final competition at the DevaneyCenter this season, as they will play host to the 2005 NCAA South Central Regional on April 9 at 7 p.m. The meet will feature Nebraska along with five other teams to be announced Monday, March 28.

Nebraska Event-by-Event Scores

Beam

Michele Zabawa 9.65

Stephanie Carter 9.55

Jamie Saas 9.725

Emily Parsons 9.85 (Big 12 Champion)

Richelle Simpson 9.85 (Big 12 Champion)

Kristi Esposito 9.825

Team Score 48.900

Floor

Kristi Esposito 9.825

Jamie Saas 9.90 (career high)