N Club Honors ?96 Soccer & ?06 Women?s Gym Teams

On Friday, Sept. 30th, Nebraska Athletics and the N Club welcomed back and celebrated the athletic achievements of two highly decorated athletic teams - the 1996 soccer team and 2006 women’s gymnastics team.   

Under the direction of head coach John Walker and assistant coaches Marty Everding and Megan (Bechtold) Skinner, the 1996 soccer team, pictured below, accumulated an impressive list of accomplishments, including: sweeping the Big 12 in regular season and tournament play, recording the highest winning percentage and most wins in program history at 23-1, dominating competition by outscoring opponents 92-15 and winning the first NCAA tournament match in school history, ultimately advancing to the quarterfinals.

In addition, the 2006 women’s gymnastics team, pictured below, is among the most decorated gymnastics teams in school history, earning 5th at the NCAA Super Six Finals under the direction of head coach Dan Kendig and assistant coaches Adrian Burde and Danna Durante. Throughout competition, three Huskers won Big 12 titles and seven Huskers earned a total of 10 All-American awards.

Throughout the weekend, attendees toured facilities, watched practices, attended a special dinner celebration, reconnected with coaches and athletic department staff and were recognized during Nebraska athletic competitions.

Above: Jenny (Benson) Spiehs relfects on her time at Nebraska and the memorable moments created during the 1996 soccer season. 

Reflecting on the weekend, Jenny (Benson) Spiehs, defender on the 1996 soccer team, noted the difficulty of putting into words just how much the weekend meant to her and her teammates:

Sitting in the locker room during our tour Friday afternoon as Coach Walker and Marty Everding took the time to come see us and address us was something all of us will cherish. We know we all worked hard and helped build the program, but to hear it 20 years later from the men (coaches) we truly respect was amazing. Coming back to see the entire athletic and academic staff we know helped shape all of us into the successful women we are today was incredibly special and being able to spend a weekend as a team again is something we will never forget. No matter how far apart life takes us, the ability to come back together and be so comfortable with each other, like we never left, shows all of us what an amazing experience we had at Nebraska.

Emily (Parsons) James, 2006 South Central Regional Gymnast of the Year, echoed similar sentiments in being able to reconnect with her teammates and Coach Kendig:

It’s always fun coming back to Lincoln and reconnecting with all the girls in person. Coach Kendig gave us all such a life-changing opportunity at Nebraska for which we will forever be grateful. It’s been over 10 years since our freshman year, and we are all so appreciative to the university and Nebraska Athletics for having us back. It’s still an amazing honor to wear the N on our chests.

Above: Coach Kendig (left) and members of the 2006 women's gymnastics team, including Emily (Parsons) James (third from left), reunite during practice. 

Nebraska Athletics and the N Club look forward to honoring the achievements of the 1986, 1996 and 2006 Nebraska volleyball teams during the next Weekend of Champions reunion celebration on Friday, Oct. 21st.

2016 Weekend of Champions Soccer & Women's Gym Reunion Photo Gallery