Huskers Picked Second in Big Ten Coaches Poll

Lincoln – The Nebraska women’s gymnastics team has been picked second in the 2016 Big Ten preseason coaches’ poll, released by the conference Thursday. Defending Big Ten champions Michigan took the top spot in the poll.

In addition, Husker gymnasts Hollie Blanske and Ashley Lambert were named to the Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch list.

“It’s nice the conference coaches feel like we’re one of the top two teams,” Nebraska Coach Dan Kendig said. “Now we’re going to work harder to get to the top.”

Blanske, a senior all-arounder from Oak Grove, Minn., is a three-time All-American as well as a two-time All-Big Ten performer. She was named a first-team All-American on floor exercise in 2015 and earned second-team honors in the all-around. Blanske was named first-team All-Big Ten last season in addition to claiming Academic All-Big Ten honors.

Lambert, a junior all-arounder from Newport News, Va., was a second-team All-American in 2015 and a second-team All-Big Ten performer in her sophomore campaign. Lambert etched her name in the Nebraska record books in January of 2015, becoming the first Husker since 2011 to record a perfect 10.00 on vault. One week later, she became the first Nebraska gymnast to post perfect 10.00’s in back-to-back meets on a single event.

“We’re really excited for what’s in store for Hollie and Ashley,” Kendig said. “They’re going to be a big part in our success.”

Illinois was picked third by the coaches, while Penn State and Ohio State round out the top five.

The Huskers will host the 2016 Big Ten Championships on March 19 at the Devaney Center. NU will play host to Michigan on Jan. 29.

Nebraska kicks off its season on Jan. 8 with a triangular meet in Tempe, Ariz. The Huskers will face Bowling Green as well as hosts Arizona State. The Huskers’ first home meet is Jan. 23 against Rutgers. Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at huskers.com/tickets or by calling 1-800-8-BIG-RED. Look to Nebraska's women's gymnastics social media pages in the coming days for infomation on the 12 Days of Giveways, running Dec. 13-24, to receive an added bonus to season ticket packages.

BIG TEN WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS PRESEASON COACHES POLL

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

BIG TEN WOMEN’S GYMNASTS TO WATCH LIST

Lizzy Leduc, Fr., Illinois
Giana O’Connor, Sr., Illinois
Mollie Drenth, Jr., Iowa
Angel Metcalf, Jr., Iowa
Abbie Epperson, So., Maryland
Kathy Tang, Sr., Maryland
Nicole Artz, Jr., Michigan
Olivia Karas, Fr., Michigan
Lisa Burt, Sr., Michigan State
Elena Lagoski, Jr., Michigan State
Ciara Gardner, So., Minnesota
Lindsay Mable, Sr., Minnesota
Hollie Blanske, Sr., Nebraska
Ashley Lambert, Jr., Nebraska
Taylor Harrison, So., Ohio State
Kaitlyn Hofland, Fr., Ohio State
Kiera Brown, Jr., Penn State
Briannah Tsang, So., Penn State
April Baker, Jr., Rutgers
Elizabeth Groden, So., Rutgers