Nebraska Picked Second in Big Ten Preseason Poll

The Nebraska women’s gymnastics team has been named No. 2 in the Big Ten preseason Coaches’ Poll released by the conference on Thursday. The Big Ten regular-season Champion Huskers will start its 2015 season ranked second in the conference behind Michigan who was tabbed No. 1.

Illinois, who NU will face two times during the regular-season earned the No. 3 spot on the poll. Ohio State (No. 4) and Minnesota (No. 5) rounded out the top-five respectively.

In addition to Nebraska’s No. 2 ranking, Husker gymnasts Jessie DeZiel and Grace Williams were named to the Gymnasts to Watch list for the 2015 season.

Jessie DeZiel returns for her final season with the Huskers in 2015 and expects to finish her senior year on a high note. The two-time regional vault champion, DeZiel earned two All-America honors at the NCAA Championships in April, a first-team selection on beam and second-team in the all-around. DeZiel captured 10 event titles in 2014, including two in the all-around and five on vault. At the conference level, she added a first-team All-Big Ten selection and was named to the Championship team on vault and bars.

Joining DeZiel as one of the 2015 Big Ten Gymnasts to watch is freshman Grace Williams. A native of Linden, Mich., Williams has the potential to be one of Nebraska’s top threats in the gym this season. The 2014 J.O. Nationals all-around Champion, Williams also took home second on floor, third on beam, seventh on vault and the bars crown at the Championship meet.

Nebraska will open its season on Jan. 9 against Lindenwood in the second annual Tumble N’ Rumble combined meet with wrestling at 7 p.m. at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The Huskers will also host one of the two Big Ten Five Team Meets on March 14 at noon, which will determine the Big Ten regular-season Champions.

BIG TEN WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL

1.    Michigan
2.    Nebraska
3.    Illinois
4.    Ohio State
5.    Minnesota
6.    Penn State
7.    Maryland
8.    Michigan State
9.    Iowa
10.  Rutgers

BIG TEN WOMEN’S GYMNASTS TO WATCH LIST

Erin Buchanan, So., Illinois
Mary Jane Horth, So., Illinois
Sydney Hoerr, Sr., Iowa
Angel Metcalf, So., Iowa
Abbie Epperson, Fr., Maryland
Stephanie Giameo, Sr., Maryland
Nicole Artz, So., Michigan
Brianna Brown, Fr., Michigan
Lisa Burt, Jr., Michigan State
Alina Cartwright, Sr., Michigan State
Madeline Hanley, Jr., Minnesota
Lindsay Mable, Jr., Minnesota
Jessie DeZiel, Sr., Nebraska
Grace Williams, Fr., Nebraska
Tenille Funches, So., Ohio State
Taylor Harrison, Fr., Ohio State
Briannah Tsang, Fr., Penn State
Krystal Welsh, Sr., Penn State
April Baker, So., Rutgers
Luisa Leal, Sr., Rutgers