NU Finishes Second at Elevate the Stage

Toledo, Ohio -- Despite a strong start, Nebraska finished second in the Elevate the Stage B1G Five meet Friday night with a final score of 195.900. The Huskers fell to only Iowa who posted a season high team score of 196.450. Penn State finished third with a score of 195.700, Maryland in fourth with a score of 195.500 and Michigan State finished fifth with a team score of 194.525. 

The Big Five meets determine the Big Ten regular season champion and the seeding for the Big Ten Championships, taking place Sunday, March 24 at Penn State. The second Big Five will take place Saturday, Feb. 23 and will feature Michigan, Ohio State, Minnesota, Illinois and Rutgers.  On the season, Nebraska moves onto 7-4 on the season and 5-3 in conference competition.

Junior Taylor Houchin took home a share of the uneven bars event title after finishing with a score of 9.90.

Rotation One
Nebraska began the meet on vault and came out strong. Megan Verceles Carr led the way with a 9.85 with Adnerys De Jesus right behind her with a score of 9.825. Houchin and Anika Dujakovich both finished powerful vaults that resulted in a score of 9.80. Sierra Hassel finished with a score of 9.775 and Kaylee Quinn rounded out the Huskers with a score of 9.10 due to a fall.

On balance beam, Iowa finished with a team score of 49.050, tying NU and a season high team score on beam for the Hawkeyes. On uneven bars, Michigan State combined for a team score of  48.875, while Maryland opened the meet on floor exercise and finished with a team score of 48.925. Penn State began the meet with a first rotation bye.

Rotation Two
Moving onto uneven bars, the Huskers began to separate from the field, thanks in part to two beautiful routines from veterans Houchin and Sienna Crouse. A 9.90 from Houchin and a 9.85 from Crouse. Verceles Carr went for 9.775, while freshmen Hargrove and De Jesus finish with scores of 9.75 and 9.70 respectively. Kelli Chung rounded out the Huskers on bars with a score of 9.60. 

On vault, Maryland finished with a team score of 48.975, while Penn State competed in their first event of the meet on floor exercise and combined for a team score of 49.000. On balance beam, Michigan State finished with a score of 47.775 and Iowa got the second rotation bye. Nebraska took control of the lead with a score of 98.025, Maryland 97.900, Michigan State 96.650, Iowa 49.050 and Penn State 49.000.

Rotation Three
Next, NU found themselves on balance beam with Crouse leading the way with her second 9.85 routine of the night. Houchin and Hargrove both finished with scores of 9.775, while Hassel hit with a score of 9.75. Megan Schweihofer and Makayla Curtis rounded out Nebraska on balance beam with scores of 9.725 and 9.60, respectively. 

On uneven bars, Maryland closed the gap and tied the Huskers thanks to a score of 49.000. Iowa was on floor and finished with a team score of 49.175. Penn State was on vault and finished with a team score of 49.125, a strong rotation for all teams. Michigan State drew the third rotation bye. Nebraska stayed on top with a combined score of 146.900. 

Rotation Four
Nebraska moved into a bye on the fourth rotation, looking to regroup and come out swinging for the final rotation. 

On vault, Iowa combined for a team score of 48.850. On uneven bars, Penn State had their strongest rotation of the night with a team score of 49.250. On balance beam, Maryland finished their night with a final score of 195.500. On floor, Michigan State combined for a team score of 48.725.

Rotation Five
The Huskers ended their night on floor exercise and looked to recapture the lead. Crouse continued her strong night and finished on floor with a 9.85, the third of the night. De Jesus and Hassel both finished with scores of 9.825. Schweihofer hit with a score of 9.80, while Catelyn Orel finished with a score of 9.70. Houchin rounded out the Huskers with a score of 9.175 due to a fall during one of her passes.

Iowa finished their impressive night on uneven bars for a team score of 49.375. Penn State finished on balance beam with a score of 48.325 and Michigan State finished on vault with a score of 49.100. 

The Huskers will return to action on Saturday, March 2 when Nebraska takes on Southern Utah in a home meet at the Bob Devaney Sports Center at 7 p.m. A team autograph session will follow after the conclusion of the meet. 

Name	Vault	Bars	Beam	Floor	All-Around
Kelli Chung		9.60
Sienna Crouse		9.85	9.85	9.85
Makayla Curtis			9.65
Adnerys De Jesus	9.825	9.70		9.825
Anika Dujakovich	9.80
Sarah Hargrove		9.75	9.775
Sierra Hassel	9.775		9.75	9.825
Taylor Houchin	9.80	9.90	9.775	9.175	38.650
Catelyn Orel				9.70
Kaylee Quinn	9.10
Megan Schweihofer			9.725	9.80
Megan Verceles Carr	9.85	9.775

Team	Vault	Bars	Beam	Floor	Total	Place
Nebraska	49.050	48.975	48.875	49.00	195.900	2
Penn State	49.125	49.250	48.325	49.000	195.700	3
Iowa	48.850	49.375	49.050	49.175	196.450	1
Michigan State	49.100	48.875	47.825	48.825	194.625	5
Maryland	48.975	49.000	48.250	48.600	195.500	4