Huskers Trump Thunderbirds in Pink Meet

Lincoln, Neb. -- The No. 18 Nebraska women's gymnastics team defeated Southern Utah 196.825-195.050 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Saturday for the annual breast cancer awareness pink meet.

In the meet, Nebraska took home four of the five event titles, with Southern Utah's Karley McClain taking home the vault event title. Junior Taylor Houchin won the uneven bars event title with a score of 9.90. Senior Sienna Crouse shined finishing with two score of 9.95 on balance beam and floor exercise as well as taking home those event titles as well. Crouse also won the all-around event title with a score of 39.225.

NU improves to 8-4 on the season and 6-3 in Big Ten competition.

Rotation One
Nebraska began the meet on vault and started out strong. Anika Dujakovich and Megan Verceles Carr led the way, both with scores of 9.85, both tying career highs. Crouse was right behind them, as she finished with a score of 9.825. Addy De Jesus hit with a score of 9.775 and Makayla Curtis and Kaylee Quinn rounded out the Huskers with a score of 9.75.

On uneven bars, Southern Utah stayed just ahead of the Huskers thanks in part to Stephanie Tervort and Shylen Murakami finishing with a score of 9.85. Becky Rozsa and Autumn Jorgensen also finished with a score of 9.80. The Thunderbirds combined for a team score of 49.075, just barely nudging past the Huskers' 49.050 after the first rotation.

Rotation Two
Moving onto uneven bars for the second rotation, Nebraska really swung into action with Houchin continuing her strong season on uneven bars with another 9.90 routine. Verceles Carr finished her strong night with a score of 9.875. Freshmen Sarah Hargrove and De Jesus finished with scores of 9.825 and 9.80, respectively. Making her season debut on uneven bars, Catelyn Orel hit with a score of 9.70 while Crouse rounded out routines with a score of 9.50. 

On vault, the Thunderbirds continued their consistent night with McClain leading the way with a score of 9.875 and taking home the event title as well. No Thunderbird would go on to score lower than a 9.70 as the Huskers took over the lead after two rotations, Nebraska leading 98.150-98.025.

Rotation Three
Next up, Nebraska found themselves on balance beam. Crouse set a new career high on balance beam with a score of 9.95, as well as taking home the balance beam event title. Sierra Hassel tied a career high with a score of 9.90. In a meet she dedicated to her breast cancer surviving mother, Orel set a new career high on balance beam with a score of 9.825. Hargrove also finished her night with a score of 9.825, while Megan Schweihofer hit with a score of 9.75. Curtis rounded out scores for the Huskers with a 9.20 due to a fall.

On floor exercise, Southern Utah, was led by Jozwiakoski who finished with a score of 9.85, while McClain would go on to finish with a score of 9.825. The Thunder birds finished with a combined team score of 48.700. Nebraska tied a season high team score of balance beam with a score of 49.250, since setting it back in January against Illinois. After three rotations, Nebraska widened the gap leading Southern Utah 147.400-146.725 heading into the home stretch.

Rotation Four
Finishing on floor exercise, Nebraska dominated the fourth rotation, thanks in part to Crouse tying a career high with a score of 9.95 and the floor exercise event title. Schweihofer tied a season high on floor exercise with a score of 9.90 as well, along with Hassel who also hit with a 9.90. Orel finished her strong night with a score of 9.85, tying a season high. freshman Abby Johnston set a new career high with a score of 9.825. De Jesus concluded her night with a score of 9.65. 

On balance beam, Southern Utah finished the night with a team score of 48.700 on floor exercise with Jozwiakowski leading the way with a score of 9.85. Nebraska kept their lead and defeated the Thunderbirds 196.825-195.050. 

In the all-around, for Nebraska, Crouse finished the night with a score of 39.225. For Southern Utah, McClain finished with a score of 39.150.

NU will return to action on March 10 with a trip to Denver, Colo. for a meet with Denver along with Arizona State and Pittsburgh at 3 p.m. CT before returning home for the 30th annual Masters Classic featuring Boise State, Kentucky and Illinois State on Saturday March 16 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center at 7 p.m. CT. The Masters Classic will also double as senior night. 

Name	Vault	Bars	Beam	Floor	All-Around
Sienna Crouse	9.825	9.50	9.95	9.95	39.225
Makayla Curtis	9.75		9.20
Adnerys De Jesus	9.775	9.80		9.65
Anika Dujakovich	9.85
Sarah Hargrove		9.825	9.825
Sierra Hassel			9.90	9.90
Taylor Houchin		9.90
Abby Johnston				9.825
Catelyn Orel		9.70	9.825	9.85
Kaylee Quinn	9.75
Megan Schweihofer			9.75	9.90
Megan Verceles Carr	9.85	9.875

Team	Vault	Bars	Beam	Floor	Total
Nebraska	49.050	49.100	49.250	49.450	196.825
Southern Utah	49.075	49.075	48.325	48.700	195.050