Huskers Ready to Embrace Big Ten Women?s Gymnastics

Lincoln- As Nebraska becomes the newest member of the Big Ten Conference, the Nebraska Women's Gymnastics team will benefit from strong competition and tradition. Last year the Huskers matched their best finish in school history with a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships in April. The Huskers also saw nine gymnasts earn 11 All-America awards. Nebraska captured the 2011 Big 12 Championship and two Huskers earned three conference titles.

"It's sad to be leaving the friendships we developed in the Big 12; we've pushed each other every year," Head Coach Dan Kendig said. "Having said that I couldn't be more excited and happy to go into the Big Ten; it's a great opportunity. We will be competing in a conference where eight schools boast women's gymnastics programs. There are a lot of things that we can do, that will be exciting. We've already met most of the Big Ten schools off and on throughout the years. What it means for us is that it will bring new travel and new places to go. We're embracing it. Our goal is to go in and start the Big Ten like we finished the Big 12."

The Big Ten Conference boasts a strong women's gymnastics reputation in the programs of Michigan, Illinois, Michigan State, Iowa, Penn State, Minnesota and Ohio State. Both Michigan and Illinois made appearances at the 2011 NCAA Championships, finishing sixth and 11th, respectively. Penn State finished the 2011 season at 14th in the national polls, while Ohio State came in 16th and Minnesota finished at 22nd.