Hassel and Houchin Win Event Titles in Season Opener

Provo, Utah -- The No. 15 Nebraska women's gymnastics team opened up the season against No. 23 BYU Cougars at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah.

In a meet that came down to the final performance, the Huskers had standout performances from seniors Taylor Houchin, who took the vault title with a score of 9.85, and Sierra Hassel, who won on both the floor (9.90) and the balance beam (9.875). Junior Megan Verceles Carr posted solid scores on vault, uneven bars and balance beam. 

Freshman Kylie Piringer performed in two events for NU, posting a score of 9.825 on the floor and fellow freshman Kathryn Thaler posted a score of 9.825 on balance beam.  Freshman Clara Colombo made her debut on uneven bars, making her the first Italian-born gymnast to compete in NCAA competition. The final score was 195.750-195.600 in favor of BYU.

Rotation One
Houchin led the Huskers in the first rotation with a score of 9.825, which tied her for third for the meet. Four other gymnasts recorded scores of 9.70 or higher, including Verceles Carr (9.80). The freshman trio of Colombo, Thaler and Piringer made their collegiate debuts on bars.

BYU started the meet on vault, and finished the first rotation with a score of 48.675. The Cougars were led by Abbey Miner, who posted a score of 9.80.

The Huskers led 48.825-48.675 after the first rotation.

Rotation Two
On vault the Huskers posted a team score of 48.775. Houchin scored a 9.85 to take home the event title, while Anika Dujakovich followed closely with a 9.825. Verceles Carr posted her second straight 9.80 of the evening, while Makayla Curtis anchored the Huskers with a 9.75. 

On bars BYU's Abby Stainton scored a 9.90, which earned her the event title, while Haley Pitou scored 9.85. The Cougars finished the rotation with a score of 49.100 and took the lead Huskers with a running score of 97.775-97.600. 

Rotation Three
Nebraska moved to the floor and Hassel led the way with a score of 9.90. Curtis and Piringer finished their routines with scores of 9.825, while Dujakovich added a 9.775. Nebraska finished the rotation with a score of 49.000.

Abbey Miner led the Cougars with a score of 9.85 on the beam, while three other gymnasts recorded scores of 9.70 or higher. The Cougars finished the rotation with a 48.800 on beam.

The Huskers held a lead of 146.600-146.575 heading into the final rotation. 

Rotation Four
The Huskers finished the meet on balance beam. Hassel again led the Huskers with a score of 9.875. Thaler added a score of 9.825, while Houchin recorded a 9.80, Verceles Carr received a score of 9.775 and Curtis finished her evening with a 9.725 on the beam. NU finished the final rotation with a beam score of 49.000.

On floor, Abbey and Sadie Miner both recorded scores of 9.875 to help push the Cougars past the Huskers. Brittany Vitkauskas scored a 9.85 and while Rachel Bain recorded a 9.80. The Cougars finished the rotation with a floor score of 49.175.

In the all-around for Nebraska, Houchin finished 39.150 while sophomore Kaylee Quinn finished with a 36.300. For BYU, Abbey Miner took home the all-around title with a score of 39.325.

Nebraska stays in the state of Utah as it will travel to Cedar City, Utah, for a match up with the Southern Utah Thunderbirds on Thursday, Jan. 9, at 1 p.m.

 

Name	Vault	Bars	Beam	Floor	All-Around
Clara Colombo			9.775
Makayla Curtis	9.75		9.725	9.825
Anika Dujakovich	9.825			9.775
Sierra Hassel	9.55		9.875	9.90
Taylor Houchin	9.85	9.825	9.80	9.675	39.150
Kylie Piringer		9.725		9.825
Kaylee Quinn	9.20	8.75	9.20	9.15	36.300
Kathryn Thaler		9.70	9.825
Megan Verceles Carr	9.80	9.80	9.775

 

Team	Vault	Bars	Beam	Floor	Total
Nebraska	48.775	48.825	49.000	49.000	195.600
BYU	48.675	49.100	48.800	49.175	195.750