Huskers Win Arizona State Triangular

Tempe, Ariz. – The 11th-ranked Nebraska women’s gymnastics team began its season with a victory in a triangular meet at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe, Ariz., Friday. The Huskers (2-0) scored 194.050, defeating Arizona State (192.700) and Bowling Green (191.900).

After a slow start on uneven bars and balance beam, the Huskers used strong performances on floor exercise and vault to seal the win.

Jennie Laeng won her first all-around title, scoring a career-high 39.350. The junior from West Middlesex, Pa., was a champion or co-champion on each event. Grace Williams came in second in the all-around with a 39.025.

Nebraska Coach Dan Kendig was happy with the team’s performances against the Sun Devils (1-1) and Falcons (0-2), but understands that there is room for improvement.

“We’re excited to get the win and come away healthy,” Kendig said. “I know we can do better and they know they can do better, but we’re excited to get back into the gym and take the next step.”

Laeng’s 9.825 was the top score on vault, while Laeng and Williams tied for the uneven bars title at 9.85. The pair were joined by freshman Megan Schweihofer atop the balance beam leaderboard at 9.825. Laeng, Arizona State’s Katelyn Lentz and Bowling Green’s Alyssa Nocella each scored a 9.85, the top score on floor exercise.

Kendig was impressed with the performances of Laeng, Williams and Schweihofer.

“It certainly was a team win tonight,” Kendig said, “but Jennie, Grace and Megan really shined. Those three did a terrific job.”

Rotation One: The Huskers began the evening on uneven bars, and were led by Williams and 2015 Big Ten uneven bars co-champion Laeng, both hitting 9.85 routines. Ashley Lambert and Danielle Breen both contributed a 9.8 for the Big Red.

For the Sun Devils, Allie Salas led the way on vault with a 9.80. The Falcons began on beam and were led by Laura Mitchell, who scored a 9.8.

After the first rotation, Arizona State led with a 48.375, followed by Nebraska at 48.200 and Bowling Green at 47.525.

Rotation Two: Nebraska moved to balance beam for the second rotation, and a trio of Huskers scored a 9.825 to help the Huskers to a 48.350 score. Schweihofer, making her first appearance as a Husker, was one of the Nebraska gymnasts to score a 9.825, and was joined by Williams and Laeng. Breen contributed a 9.775, while Madison McConkey scored a 9.10 in her first official appearance on beam.

Arizona State’s scored a 48.325 on bars, led by Kristine Levin and Carissa Kraus, with both scoring a 9.75. Bowling Green scored a 47.725 on floor, led by Nocella’s 9.85.

After the second rotation, Arizona State led with a 96.700, followed by Nebraska with a 96.550 and Bowling Green at 95.100.

Rotation Three: Nebraska performed on floor exercise for its third rotation, and made a move to the top of the leaderboard with a 48.850 team score. Laeng led the way with a 9.85 routine, while Lambert contributed a strong 9.825 and Hollie Blanske hit a 9.750 to help the Huskers. Schweihofer continued her strong performance, scoring 9.775, and Williams rounded out the Husker effort with a 9.650 routine.

ASU scored a 47.875 on beam, led by Heather Udowitch with a 9.750. Bowling Green scored a 48.375 on vault, led by a pair of 9.775s from Victoria Heath and 2015 MAC co-vault champion Lauren Feely.

After the third rotation, Nebraska led with a score of 145.400, while Arizona State followed with a 144.200 and Bowling Green had a score of 143.625.

Rotation Four: The Huskers ended the night on vault, and scored a 48.650 to secure the victory. Laeng’s 9.825 paced the Big Red, while Schweihofer put up a 9.725 to close her Husker debut. Williams, Blanske and Orel each hit a 9.70 for the Huskers.

Arizona State racked up a 48.125 on floor, led by Lentz with a 9.85. Bowling Green scored a 47.725 on bars, led by Nocella’s 9.85.

Nebraska will return to action next Saturday, Jan. 16, to take on Big Ten Conference foe Penn State in University Park, Pa. The meet is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT. 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. 

Notes

• The Huskers improved their record to 21-30 all-time against Arizona State and 2-0 against Bowling Green.
• Jennie Laeng registered her first career all-around victory with a score of 39.350.
• Laeng also won her first individual event titles in vault (9.825), balance beam (9.825) and floor (9.85).
• Laeng’s victory in the uneven bars (9.850) was the fourth of her career.
• Laeng’s 9.85 on floor exercise tied her career high (vs. Arkansas, 3/8/14).
• Grace Williams’s title in the uneven bars (9.850) was the first bars title of her career.
• Freshman Megan Schweihofer took home an event title in the first meet of her collegiate career, scoring a 9.825 on the balance beam. 
• Freshman Catelyn Orel also made her Husker debut, scoring a 9.70 on vault and 9.30 on floor.

Name	Vault	Bars	Beam	Floor	All-Around
Hollie Blanske	9.70	8.90	9.00	9.75	37.350
Danielle Breen	--	9.80	9.775	--	--
Jennie Laeng	9.825	9.85	9.825	9.85	39.350
Ashley Lambert	9.55	9.80	--	9.825	--
Madison McConkey	--	8.90	9.10	--	--
Catelyn Orel	9.70	--	--	9.30	--
Megan Schweihofer	9.725	--	9.825	9.775	--
Grace Williams	9.70	9.85	9.825	9.65	39.025
Team	Vault	Bars	Beam	Floor	Total
Nebraska	48.650	48.200	48.350	48.850	194.050
Arizona State	48.375	48.325	47.875	48.125	192.700
Bowling Green	48.375	48.275	47.525	47.725	191.900