DeZiel Shines as Huskers Defeat Gophers

Minneapolis, Minn. --- True freshman Jessie DeZiel won three event titles and captured the all-around crown as the No. 9 Nebraska women's gymnastics team defeated the Minnesota Gophers, 196.850-196.150, on Saturday night in Minneapolis, Minn. The Huskers, who defeated the Gophers earlier this season, improved to 9-1 and 3-0 against Big Ten foes. Minnesota, who posted a season-high score, dropped to 4-7.

DeZiel, who was performing in her home state of Minnesota, posted a 9.85 or above on all four events en route to winning the vault, beam and floor titles. DeZiel won her fifth all-around crown of the season with a 39.60, which is a career high and the highest all-around score for NU since Emily Parsons posted 39.65 in 2007. She was joined by junior Janelle Giblin, who tied her for the vault title with a 9.95. Giblin also tied senior Lora Evenstad for the bars title with a 9.90. The Huskers had the top three all-arounders of the meet, with Emily Wong finishing in second with a 39.425 and Giblin in third with a 39.375.

"That's a pretty special day," Head Coach Dan Kendig said after the meet. "You come up here, and think about all the distractions she had, and perform the way she did was amazing. Her and Emily (Wong) both, they were both great tonight."

As a team, the Huskers posted a 49.00 or above on all four events for the fourth time this season, including a 49.575 on the vault, which is tied for the sixth highest score in school history.

"We really rocked the house on vault tonight. It was really great, high-quality vault," Kendig said. "The way we bounced back tonight on beam and floor really showed us a lot about our team."

The Huskers jumped out to a 49.225-49.050 lead after their first rotation on the bars. Wong led the event off with a 9.80 and was followed by sophomore Jamie Schleppenbach, who tied her career high for the second straight week with a 9.775. DeZiel posted a 9.85, before Giblin and Evenstad finished the event off with back-to-back 9.90s to capture the event title. Giblin has now posted five 9.90 scores this season, which is a career high, while Evenstad's score was a season high.

Nebraska carried its momentum into vault by posting the sixth-highest score in school history with a 49.575. DeZiel and Giblin both scored career-high 9.95s to lead NU, while Wong also tallied a career high 9.925. Schleppenbach scored a 9.90 and Brittany Skinner was rewarded with a 9.85 to round out the scores.

Nebraska's performance on vault gave them the lead after two rotations and they were able to keep the lead after scoring a 49.00 on the floor in the third rotation. DeZiel continued her impressive night by leading NU on the floor with a 9.90, while Wong scored a 9.825. True freshman Jennifer Lauer finished the event for the Huskers by putting up a 9.80 to tie a career high. Schleppenbach led the Huskers off on the event with a 9.675 and Giblin scored a 9.80.

DeZiel won her third event title of the night on the beam to hold off a late charge from the Gophers. The Rogers, Minn., native scored a 9.90 to lead NU, while Wong and Skinner scored a 9.875 and 9.80, respectively. Lauer competed for the first time on the beam and scored a 9.75 and Giblin put up a 9.725 to guide the Huskers to victory.

Tonight's meet will air on the Big Ten Network on Friday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. (CT). The Huskers return to action next weekend when they travel to Fayetteville, Ark., to battle the No. 5 Arkansas Razorbacks on Friday, Feb. 24, with action set to begin at 7 p.m. (CT). Continue to check back to Huskers.com for more coverage of the Nebraska women's gymnastics team