DeZiel Leads Huskers to NCAA Championships in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City, Utah --- The No. 5 Nebraska women's gymnastics team advanced to its third straight NCAA Championships on Saturday night, finishing in second place at the 2012 NCAA Salt Lake City Regional, posting a 196.525 team score. No. 8 Utah, the host of the regional, took the top spot by scoring a 196.825.  The Huskers have now advanced to the NCAA Championships 12 out of the past 14 seasons and will join 11 other teams set to compete in Duluth, Ga., on April 20-22.

NU was led by true freshman Jessie DeZiel, who took home the all-around crown and a pair of event titles on vault (9.95) and floor (9.90). The Rogers, Minn., native scored a 39.40 in the all-around, and was trailed by junior Janelle Giblin, who finished in second with a 39.375. DeZiel is the first Husker to win a regional all-around title since Emily Parsons in 2006. Sophomore Emily Wong also took home some hardware on the night, winning the beam title with her 9.875.

The Huskers started on bars, where they were led by a pair of strong performances from Giblin and Lora Evenstad in the fourth and fifth spots respectively. The duo each scored a 9.875 to help NU scored a 49.125 on the event. Wong led the event off with a 9.825 and was followed by DeZiel, who scored a 9.80. Brittany Skinner tallied a 9.75 to round out the action for NU.

On beam, NU tallied a 48.975 in their second rotation to take a total of 98.10 into their bye rotation. Wong led all NU gymnasts with her meet-high 9.875, while Giblin and Lauer each scored a 9.80. DeZiel scored a 9.75 in the fourth spot, while Busacker matched DeZiel's score in the final spot. Busacker, who was filling in for an injured Jamie Schleppenbach, was competing in only her third meet on the beam.

After each team had completed two events, the Huskers sat in second place behind Utah, 98.55-98.10, heading into their third event on the floor. Just like much of the season, DeZiel and Evenstad anchored the event with two strong performances. DeZiel posted a meet-high 9.90, while Evenstad closed with a 9.85 to give NU their 49.15. Skinner posted a 9.85 and Giblin tallied a 9.825, while Lauer kicked the event off with a 9.725.

The Huskers clinched their second-place finish by posting a 49.275 on vault. Lauer continued her impressive night by tying her career-high 9.85 in the Huskers' first routine. Both Skinner and Giblin matched Lauer's score of 9.85, while Evenstad posted a 9.80. DeZiel stole the show in NU's final spot, posting 9.95, which was tied for her career high.

Minnesota took home third place in the regional by scoring a 194.800, while Arizona State finished in fourth with a 194.400. San Jose State and Iowa State took home fifth and sixth places, respectively.

The Huskers will join 11 other teams at the NCAA Championships on April 20-22 in Duluth, Ga. Action from the Gwinnett Center will begin with the semifinals on Friday, April 20, with two sessions at 11 a.m. or 5 p.m. The top three teams from each session will advance to the Super Six on Saturday, April 21, at 3 p.m. Individual event finals will take place on Sunday at Noon. All times are central. Check back to Huskers.com to find out which session the Huskers will participate in for the semifinals. A complete list of results is below.


Name                            Vault       Bars       Beam       Floor      All-Around

Katelyn Busacker           ---            9.275     9.75             ---           ---

Deanna Barmore            ---             ---           ---             ---           ---

Jessie DeZiel                 9.95          9.80        9.75          9.90       39.40

Lora Evenstad               9.80          9.875       ---             9.85        ---

Janelle Giblin                9.875         9.875      9.80          9.825       39.375

Amanda Lauer               ---             ---           ---             ---           ---

Jennifer Lauer               9.85          ---           9.80          9.725      ---

Kassandra Nathe          ---             ---           ---             ---           ---

Jamie Schleppenbach  ---             ---           ---             ---           ---

Brittany Skinner            9.80         9.75        9.675        9.85      39.075

Desire' Stephens          ---             ---           ---             ---          ---

Emily Wong                  9.55         9.825      9.875        9.70       38.95

Team Score                  Vault            Bars            Beam         Floor            Total

Nebraska                      49.275          49.125         48.975        49.15            196.525

Utah                               49.225         49.25            49.025         49.325         196.825

Minnesota                     49.05            47.975            48.60         49.175         194.800

Iowa State                    48.75            48.425           46.95           49.025         193.150

Arizona State               48.925          48.225           48.45          48.80            194.400

San Jose State              48.475         48.15             48.25           48.525       193.400