Huskers Tabbed to Finish Sixth in Big Ten

The Nebraska men’s gymnastics team was picked to finish sixth in the Big Ten Men’s Gymnastics Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the conference office announced on Wednesday.  Illinois topped the list of seven schools after winning their third consecutive conference championship in 2011, with Michigan and Penn State rounding out the top three.

In addition, a pair of Nebraska all-arounders were selected to the 2012 Gymnasts to Watch list. Senior Andreas Hofer and sophomore Wyatt Aycock were listed among the 14 conference gymnasts. Hofer has competed in the individual all-around finals at the NCAA Championships two times and finished in a tie for 11th at the 2011 NCAA Championships. Aycock will be looking to improve on his freshman campaign in which he posted a school record mark of 88.60 in all-around competition against Iowa and Minnesota.

The Nebraska men’s gymnastics team will begin their first season of Big Ten competition in 2012 after notching a top ten finish at the NCAA Championships last season. The Huskers return 12 letterwinners from last year’s squad and will also look for contributions from six newcomers.

The complete Preseason Coaches’ Poll and Gymnasts to Watch list can be found below.

BIG TEN MEN’S GYMNASTICS PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL

1.          Illinois

2.          Michigan

3.          Penn State

4.          Ohio State

5.          Minnesota

6.          Nebraska

7.          Iowa

 

BIG TEN MEN’S GYMNASTS TO WATCH LIST

C.J. Maestas, Fr., Illinois

Tyler Mizoguchi, Sr., Illinois

Javier Balboa, Jr., Iowa

Matt McGrath, Jr., Iowa

Adrian de los Angeles, Fr., Michigan

Sam Mikulak, So., Michigan

Russell Dabritz, Sr., Minnesota

DJ Repp, Sr., Minnesota

Wyatt Aycock, So., Nebraska

Andreas Hofer, Sr., Nebraska

Kris Done, So., Ohio State

Misha Koudinov, So., Ohio State

Felix Aronovich, Jr., Penn State

Craig Hernandez, Fr., Penn State