Leal Finishes Second on Parallel Bars at Big Tens

COLUMBUS, OHIO --- Daniel Leal of the Nebraska men's gymnastics team claimed his first Big Ten medal on Saturday night at the individual event finals at St. John Arena. The sophomore placed second on parallel bars and was the only Husker to bring home a medal.

Leal posted a personal-best score on parallel bars on Friday night (15.20) to earn a spot in the finals on Saturday night. On Saturday night, the Cali, Colombia native put on a show at the event finals, sticking his landing and shattering his score from the previous night.  Leal earned a new career-best score on the event (15.425).

In addition to Leal, Four other Huskers competed on Saturday night at the event finals. 

Jordan King was Nebraska's first competitor. The freshman qualified for the pommel horse finals after posting a career-best score (14.85) on Friday. On Saturday, King started strong, but fell off the apparatus halfway through his routine. The Houston, Texas, native showed resilience and powered through the rest of his routine to earn a score of 13.425. King placed 10th on the event. 

Antonio Castro competed second for Nebraska. The sophomore performed a solid routine on pommel horse, showing poise and strength throughout his performance. Castro was awarded a 14.975 for his effort, earning Nebraska's highest pommel horse score of the night and finishing in fourth place overall. 

Ethan Lottman performed third for NU. On Friday, the senior All-American qualified for the finals with an impressive score of 15.20. On Saturday, the Omaha, Neb., native got off to a great start, but fell off the equipment in the middle of his routine. Despite, the fall,  Lottman still earned a score of 14.65, earning eighth place overall. 

Anton Stephenson was the only Husker to qualify for multiple events. The freshman earned a spot in the vault and parallel bars finals, after an impressive night on Friday that included a personal-best score on parallel bars (15.30). At the finals on Saturday, Stephenson posted a 14.325 on vault and a 14.55 on parallel bars. The Fishers, Ind., native placed sixth and eighth, respectfully.  

Ohio State took home the floor, pommel horse and parallel bars individual titles. Illinois claimed the still rings individual title, while Penn State and Michigan took first on high bar and vault, respectively.

At the award ceremony, Leal earned second team All-Big Ten, while Connor Adamsick was Nebraska's 2016 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award Winner.

The Huskers take one week off to prepare for the 2016 NCAA Championships on April 15-16 in Columbus, Ohio. 

 

2016 All-Big Ten Teams

First Team

Alex Diab, Illinois

Matthew Loochtan, Iowa

Emyre Cole, Michigan

Anthony McCallum, Michigan

Tristan Duran, Minnesota

Justin Karstadt, Minnesota

Sean Melton, Ohio State

Alec Yoder, Ohio State

Trevor Howard, Penn State

 

Second Team

Matthew Foster, Illinois

Brandon Ngai, Illinois

Johnny Jacobson, Illinois

Anthony Stefanelli, Michigan

Danny DiBenedetto, Minnesota

Daniel Leal, Nebraska

Seth Delbridge, Ohio State

Alex Johnson, Ohio State

Individual Awards

Big Ten Gymnast of the Year: Sean Melton, Ohio State

Big Ten Freshman of the Year: Alec Yoder, Ohio State

Big Ten Coach of the Year: Rustam Sharipov, Ohio State

Sportsmanship Award Honorees
Alex Diab, Illinois

Douglas Sullivan, Iowa

Emyre Cole, Michigan

Paul Montague Jr., Minnesota

Connor Adamsick, Nebraska

Alex Johnson, Ohio State

Leroy Clarke Jr., Penn State