Huskers Ranked 11th Nationally

Lincoln – The Nebraska women’s gymnastics team has been picked 11th in the NACGC/W Preseason Coaches Poll, released Tuesday. The Cornhuskers collected 1,801 points in the poll.

Oklahoma begins the season ranked No. 1, with 29 first-place votes, good for 2,266 points, while 2015 NCAA champion Florida was ranked No. 2. Alabama, Utah and LSU round out the top five.

The Huskers will face 12 of the nation’s top 36 teams in 2016.

Nebraska returns six letterwinners from last year’s squad, which finished eighth nationally, including seniors Hollie Blanske and Madison McConkey. Juniors Jennie Laeng and Ashley Lambert also return for the Big Red, as well as sophomores Danielle Breen and Grace Williams.

Michigan was ranked seventh in the poll, after the Wolverines were picked first overall in the preseason Big Ten coaches poll last week. The Huskers host Michigan Jan. 29 at the Devaney Center.

Overall, the Big Ten placed eight teams in the nation’s top 30. Illinois is ranked 15th, while Penn State placed 17th.

Nebraska’s season kicks off with the Huskers traveling to Tempe, Ariz., to take on Arizona State and Bowling Green in a meet on Jan. 8. The Sun Devils were ranked 36th in the preseason NACGC/W coaches poll, while Bowling Green is receiving votes. The Huskers’ first home meet comes against Rutgers on Jan. 23. Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at huskers.com/tickets or by calling 1-800-8-BIG-RED.