Huskers Win 17th Masters Classic Title

Lincoln, Neb. – The No. 11 Nebraska women’s gymnastics team won its 17th Masters Classic title (196.425) Sunday at the Devaney Center. The Huskers, who improved to 13-2 on the year, scored a 49.0 or better on vault, beam and floor, and won or tied all individual event titles. NU finished ahead of Arizona (194.75), Denver (194.175) and West Virginia (192.975).

“I feel like we had a good day on all four events,” Head Coach Dan Kendig said. “We hit 23 of 24 routines, but we just need to get better on landings.”

Nebraska saw Maddie Steinauer take her first event crown, as she tied with Lora Evenstad for the vault title (9.85). Brittnee Habbib added her second bars crown of the year, tying for the title with a 9.85. Kathryn Howard won her fourth beam crown of the year, posting a 9.85. Evenstad also took the floor crown with a mark of 9.90.

Maria Scaffidi won her third all-around title, hitting a score of 39.30. In addition, first time all-around competitor Brittany Skinner received an all-around score of 39.125 to come in third.            

“She’s fun and has great enthusiasm,” Kendig said of Skinner. “She’s fun to watch and is a strong competitor. She has a big heart and is starting to trust herself now.”

Nebraska opened the meet on vault, where Maddie Steinauer took first on the event and tied her career-high score of 9.85. Lora Evenstad added the same mark to lead the Huskers and tie Steinauer. Brittany Skinner, Maria Scaffidi and Erin Davis all hit a 9.825, helping NU earn a team total of 49.175 ahead of first-rotation totals from Arizona (48.60) and West Virginia (48.15) and Denver (47.90).

NU continued on to bars, and Brittnee Habbib took the event title and tied her season-high score of 9.85. Scaffidi tied her season-high of 9.825. Kassandra Nathe and Evenstad both notched a 9.80 each. Kathryn Howard added a 9.70 for NU. The Huskers finished with an event score of 48.975 and a running score of 98.15 left them ahead of the Wildcats’ 97.525, the Pioneers’ 96.575 and the Mountaineers’ 96.15 at the halfway point.

Nebraska moved on to beam, where Howard hit a 9.85 to come in first on the event. Skinnercompeted on the event for the first time this season, hitting a 9.825. Nathe posted a 9.80 and Scaffidi added a 9.775. Steinauer hit a 9.75, and. NU totaled a 49.00 on the event. A running score of 147.15 gave NU the lead over Arizona’s 146.40, as well as Denver (145.35) and West Virginia (144.75). 

The Huskers capped the evening on floor, and Evenstad took the event crown after hitting a 9.90 on the event. It was the fifth time this season that she has hit such a score. Scaffidi added a 9.875, and Davis hit a 9.85. Steinauer and Skinner both received marks of 9.825. NU totaled an event score of 49.275 and a final team total of 196.425 to win the Masters Classic, ahead of Arizona (194.75), Denver (194.175) and West Virginia (192.975).

“I thought the team competed well,” Kendig said. “We have so much more in us. It has to come out and keep coming out, that is step one. It is a good win, but we’re striving for more and looking for more.”

Nebraska travels to Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, March 5 to face Utah. Competition is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. at the Huntsman Center.

 

Name                             Vault        Bars      Beam        Floor       All-Around

Hannah Bower                   ---            ---            ---            ---            ---

Erin Davis                        9.825        ---            ---            9.85         ---

Lora Evenstad                 9.85            9.80       ---             9.90       ---

Kristin Fyffe                    9.80            ---         9.025         ---            ---

Janelle Giblin                   ---            ---            ---            ---            ---

Brittnee Habbib                 ---            9.85        ---            9.80            ---

Kathryn Howard               ---            9.70         9.85          ---            ---

Kassandra Nathe            ---            9.80         9.80            ---            ---

Maria Scaffidi                9.825      9.725        9.775         9.875         39.30

Brittany Skinner            9.825       9.65        9.825            9.825       39.125

Maddie Steinauer          9.85            ---        9.75            9.825          ---

Kylie Stone                   ---            ---            ---            ---            ---

 

Team Score                   Vault            Bars            Beam            Floor            Total

Nebraska                        49.175         48.975            49.00           49.275          196.425

Arizona                          48.925           48.875          48.35            48.60            194.75

Denver                           48.775           48.825           47.90            48.675          194.175

West Virginia                 48.225            48.15            48.05             48.55            192.975