Huskers Picked First in Big Ten Preseason Poll

Lincoln --- The Nebraska women’s gymnastics team will begin the 2012 season as the preseason favorite in the Big Ten Conference after being voted on by the conference coaches on Wednesday. The Huskers, who will begin the season ranked at No. 6 in the country, return six gymnasts who have earned All-America honors in their careers. 

Michigan was picked second in the poll, while Penn State, Ohio State and Illinois round out the top five. 

The Huskers finished fourth at last year’s NCAA Championships, which tied for the highest finish in school history. The Huskers will look to make an immediate impact in their first year as members of the Big Ten Conference after winning the Big 12 last season. Nebraska will be led by senior Lora Evenstad and junior Janelle Giblin. Evenstad is a two-time first-team All-American (V, 2010; FX, 2011), while Giblin is a three time honoree and earned first team accolades on the vault in 2011.

Nebraska opens its season at home against Denver on Jan. 13 at the Devaney Center at 7 p.m. The Huskers host five home events this season including the Masters Classic (Feb. 11), which features Michigan, Washington and Southern Utah. NU will also face off against Missouri (Jan. 28), Florida (March 4) and Iowa State (March 16) at home. 

BIG TEN WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL
1.        Nebraska
2.        Michigan
3.        Penn State
4.        Ohio State
5.        Illinois
6.        Iowa
7.        Minnesota
8.         Michigan State