Huskers Finish Fifth in NCAA Qualifier

Norman, Okla. - The 10th-seeded Nebraska men's gymnastics team posted a team score of 340.550 to finish fifth in the first qualifying session of the NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championships at Lloyd Noble Arena in Norman, Okla. Michigan won the session, posting a season-high score of 353.45. The Penn State Nittany Lions took second at 353.000, while Stanford took third at 348.50. Ohio State came in at fourth with a 345.35, Nebraska fifth at 340.550 and Iowa finished sixth at 336.65.

In addition, four Huskers qualified as individuals for the event semifinals on Friday at 7 p.m. Freshman Grant Perdue led the Huskers, qualifying on both floor exercise (15.40) and vault (14.70). Sophomore Donovan Arndt qualified on still rings (14.10), while sophomore Eric Schryver qualified on parallel bars (14.30). Senior Andreas Hofer rounded out the qualifiers for NU, picking up a qualification on high bar (14.40).

The Huskers began their work in the first qualifying session on still rings. NU had a rough outing on the event as they posted a team mark of 54.900. Sophomore Donovan Arndt led the Big Red on the event, hitting a 14.10. Fellow sophomore C.J. Schaaf added a 13.70, and senior Andreas Hofer picked up a 13.60.

Following the first rotation, the Huskers sat in fourth overall with a team score of 54.900. The Stanford Cardinal led the way (59.550), Ohio State was second (58.800), Penn State was third (56.850), Nebraska was fourth and Iowa was fifth (54.80). Michigan remained scoreless due to a bye in the first rotation.

Nebraska posted a score of 58.350 on vault in the second rotation, just shy of the team's average on the season. Freshman Grant Perdue and sophomore Wyatt Aycock paced the Huskers on the event, notching marks of 14.70 apiece. Freshman Josh Ungar posted a score of 14.55 and Hofer contributed a 14.40 for the Huskers.

After two rotations, the Huskers remained in fourth overall with a team score of 113.60. Stanford extended their lead to 117.15, followed by Penn State in second (114.50), Ohio State in third (113.60), Nebraska in fourth, Iowa in fifth (111.45) and Michigan in sixth (56.25).

The third rotation took the Huskers to parallel bars, where the team put together a score of 56.900 that included team-high marks of 14.30 from both Aycock and fellow sophomore Eric Schryver. Sophomore Mark Ringle added a 14.20 and freshman Connor Stillwell picked up a score of 14.10.

With three rotations down, the Huskers held strong at fourth overall with a team score of 170.15. Penn State took over the first place position (174.15), Stanford followed in second (173.95), Ohio State in third (172.95), Nebraska in fourth, Michigan in fifth (113.60) and Iowa in sixth (111.45).

The Big Red moved to high bar for their fourth rotation of the afternoon, picking up a team mark of 56.40. Hofer led Nebraska on the event, hitting a score of 14.40, while Ringle added a mark of 14.20 for NU.

The Huskers moved up into third place overall after the fourth rotation, posting a team score of 226.55. Stanford held at first among the six teams (234.25), while Ohio State trailed in second (229.50), Nebraska in third, Michigan in fourth (174.45), Penn State in fifth (174.15) and Iowa in sixth (165.55).

Nebraska took to floor exercise in their fifth rotation, tallying a team score of 58.700. The team was led by Grant Perdue, who hit a 15.40 on the afternoon to produce a new Nebraska program record and finish third overall in the session. Senior Will Eastman also had a career day, picking up a mark of 14.85.

After the fifth rotation, the Huskers sat in second overall with a team mark of 285.25. NU narrowly trailed Ohio State (285.900), while leading Michigan (234.300), Stanford (234.350), Penn State (233.800), and Iowa (220.900).

Following a bye in the sixth rotation, the Huskers moved to pommel horse for their final rotation of the afternoon. The team picked up a mark of 55.300, paced by Schryver's score of 14.40. Aycock added a 14.15, while Arndt contributed a 13.70 for the Big Red.

After the final rotation, the Michigan Wolverines emerged victorious from the first session (353.450). Penn State trailed in second (353.000), while Stanford came in at third overall (348.50), Ohio State in fourth (345.350), Nebraska in fifth and Iowa in sixth (336.650).

The top three finishing teams of the session (Michigan, Penn State and Stanford) have qualified for tomorrow's team finals, which will begin at 7 p.m. The other three qualifying teams will be determined at tonight's second qualifying session, which will begin at 7 p.m. as well. The weekend will conclude with the individual event finals on Saturday, which is slated for a 7 p.m. start.

2012 NCAA Championships - Team Qualifier
Session 1
Lloyd Noble Arena
Norman Okla.
1. Michigan: 353.450
2. Penn State: 353.000
3. Stanford: 348.500
4. Ohio STate: 345.350
5. Nebraska: 340.550
6. Iowa: 336.650

Floor Exercise: 58.700
Grant Perdue: 15.40
Will Eastman: 14.85
Hayden Henrioulle: 14.40
Wyatt Baier: 14.05
Andreas Hofer: 13.75
Wyatt Aycock: 13.70

Pommel Horse: 55.300
Eric Schryver: 14.40
Wyatt Aycock: 14.15
Donovan Arndt: 13.70
C.J. Schaaf: 13.05
Gabriel Jolley: 12.90
David Jacobs: 12.60

Still Rings: 54.900
Donovan Arndt: 14.10
C.J. Schaaf: 13.70
Andreas Hofer: 13.60
Grant Perdue: 13.50
Robbie Kocks: 13.10
Wyatt Baier: 10.45

Vault: 58.350
Grant Perdue: 14.70 
Wyatt Aycock: 14.70
Josh Ungar: 14.55
Andreas Hofer: 14.40
Wyatt Baier: 13.65

Parallel Bars: 56.900
Eric Schryver: 14.30
Wyatt Aycock: 14.30
Mark Ringle: 14.20
Connor Stillwell: 14.10
Andreas Hofer: 12.80
Gabriel Jolley: 12.30

High Bar: 56.400
Andreas Hofer: 14.40
Mark Ringle: 14.20
Josh Ungar: 13.80
Connor Stillwell: 13.90
Eric Schryver: 13.90
Will Eastman: 12.20