B1G Deal: Husker Gymnasts Honored Again

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If excellence, like winning, is more a habit than an act, then the Nebraska women’s gymnastics team has a good chance to be honored at a 2015 football game after receiving its fourth consecutive accolade Saturday.  The Huskers, led by 2014 Big Ten Conference Gymnast of the Year Emily Wong, received the cheers of another Memorial Stadium sellout crowd during the first quarter of Saturday’s Nebraska win over Rutgers.

If the Huskers win or share a fifth consecutive conference championship in 2015, it will have an interesting twist to it.  Wong, Nebraska’s 2014 Female Student-Athlete of the Year and a catalyst for NU’s past four conference titles, is still part of the program as a student assistant to the coaches who recruited, coached and mentored her.  “I’m still in school and still part of the team,” she said Saturday before helping to hold the Big Ten trophy and then waving with her former teammates to an appreciative ovation from Big Red fans.

Being a part of four straight conference titles “wasn’t something I saw in my future,” Wong said, “but it’s definitely been fun and exciting to experience. I enjoy still being in the gym every day and the work that goes into it. I’m still trying to motivate others and definitely see how important that is from a coach’s perspective.”

Huskers’ Still Have Emily’s Smile, Laugh and Leadership

Nebraska Women’s Gymnastics Coach Dan Kendig said Wong has done “a great job” in transitioning to her new role. “It’s great to have her set of eyes on what we’re looking for and the enthusiasm she’s shown since she’s been here,” Kendig said. “We all know that smile and that laugh Emily has. Having that around every day is important for our entire team.”

Kendig said the student assistant role for a potential future NCAA Top Ten honoree gives Wong an opportunity to stay involved and bridge the gap between being a part of the team before going on to be a physical therapist.  “We’re all happy and proud of winning or sharing four straight conference championships (including one in the Huskers’ last year in the Big 12 Conference), but we’re still not satisfied,” Kendig said. “Our goal is to get better every day and having Emily still around will help us do that.”

Nebraska earned seven All-America honors at the 2014 NCAA Championships, helping the Huskers achieve a Super Six finish for the 11th time in program history. The Huskers begin their 2015 season at home on Friday, Jan. 9, when they host Lindenwood in conjunction with Nebraska’s wrestling team for the second-ever Tumble N’ Rumble Event at the Devaney Center. Details, including ticket information, will be posted soon on Huskers.com.  

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