Huskers Qualify for Super Six Finals

Auburn, Ala. ? The No. 6 Nebraska women’s gymnastics team posted a 195.875 on Thursday afternoon to finish third in Session I of the preliminary competition at the NCAA Championships at AuburnUniversity’s Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum. NU scored a 49.0 or better on the uneven bars and floor exercise, and two Huskers qualified for Saturday night’s individual event finals. The Huskers finished third to Utah (196.85) and Michigan (196.575), while defeating LSU (195.80), PennState (194.975) and Oklahoma (194.425).

 

Freshman Emily Parsons had a stellar performance to lead Nebraska, finishing fifth in the all-around (39.425) to earn second-team All-America honors. Parsons, a native of St. Charles, Mo., also finished second on floor (9.925) to earn a spot in the individual event finals, while placing sixth on vault (9.875), fifth on balance beam (9.825) and 17th on the uneven bars (9.80). Sophomore Kristi Esposito qualified for the individual event finals as well, as the Slidell, La., native placed fourth on beam (9.85).

 

In addition, four Husker competitors garnered six All-America awards. Parsons earned first-team honors on floor, as well as second-team accolades in the all-around, on vault and beam. Sophomore Michele Zabawa and freshman Desire’ Sniatynski received their second-team All-America awards on bars, where they tied for eighth (9.85). Esposito was a repeat first-teamer on beam, as she was an All-American on the event in 2004.

 

“This was such an amazing day for our team. It was a total team effort,” Head Coach Dan Kendig said. “We came in here and knew we had to be at our best to move on. There was an enormous amount of pressure on us to succeed, and these athletes just stayed so focused. They haven’t let anything get in the way of their success this year, and to do that with such a young team is tremendous.

 

“We were down to our last routine on floor, and we have one of our freshmen up. She got a 9.925 and that sealed it up for us. That was so emotional for our team. Just to see that look on everyone’s faces ? that look of accomplishment ? was worth the whole year.”

 

NU began the competition on vault, receiving an outstanding performance from Parsons, whose 9.875 put her in sixth place. Sophomore Stephanie Carter followed with a 9.75 for 19th, and two Huskers ? freshmen Brittney Williams and Desire’ Sniatynski ? finished 27th (9.70). Sophomore Michele Zabawa added a 9.675 to place 33rd, and sophomore Kristi Esposito followed up with a 9.60 for 35th to bring the Huskers to a 48.700 and a third-place standing heading into the second rotation.

 

After a bye for the next rotation, the Huskers moved on to the uneven bars. Zabawa, the defending Big 12 bars champion, and Sniatynski led the way for NU, tying for eighth with a 9.85 each. Williams, Esposito and Parsons finished in a tie for 17th place, as all three competitors posted a 9.80. Freshman Kylee Johnson added a season-high 9.725 for 26th in her first bars performance since Jan. 7 at Michigan. Nebraska finished the event with a 49.10, leaving the team in fifth place.

 

NU continued to the balance beam, where Esposito gave a solid fourth-place showing with a 9.85. Parsons finished fifth (9.825), and senior Jamie Saas added a 9.80 for ninth. Zabawa and Carter posted a 9.70 to tie for 24th. Nebraska earned a team total of 48.875 for the event and moved to the fifth rotation for a bye before the floor exercise.

 

The Huskers turned in a spectacular performance on floor exercise to cap the afternoon session of competition. NU scored a 9.70 or higher on every routine and were led by second-place finisher Parsons, who scored a 9.925 to clinch a bid to the Super Six Finals. Esposito, Carter and Williams posted a 9.85 each for ninth, and Sniatynski added a 9.725 to place 40th. Saas’ 9.70 left her in 43rd place, giving NU a 49.30, just enough to edge LSU out of the third spot for tomorrow’s team championship competition.

 

“For the team to move on in spite of everything we’ve been through this year makes qualifying that much more rewarding. The one I’m happiest with this afternoon is (senior) Richelle Simpson," Kendig said. "She poured her heart and soul into this team, but she was put in a position where she couldn’t compete today. I’m happy that she and Jamie (Saas) were able to help this team mature and grow up and provide the leadership necessary. We’re just going to enjoy this day and get refocused tonight to come back tomorrow and do our best.”

 

The Huskers will continue competition at the NCAA Championships in tomorrow’s Super Six Finals, which are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. The six-team championship will feature Nebraska, Michigan and Utah, as well as the top three finishers from tonight’s second preliminary session.