In a contest that came down to the wire, the Nebraska women’s gymnastics team (5-4, 3-2 Big Ten) conquered the No. 23 Penn State Nittany Lions (5-4, 1-4 Big Ten) by a score of 196.500-196.400 on Saturday evening in front of a crowd of 2,293 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.
Isabel Sikon and Ayzhia Hall tied for the title on vault, each with a 9.850. That marked Sikon’s first event title at Nebraska. Sophia McClelland claimed the floor title with a 9.925. Emma Spence and Csenge Bácskay split the all around title, both earning a 39.325.
Sikon registered a career-high 9.850 on vault, and tied her career high on beam with a 9.800. Bácskay also notched a career high on beam with a 9.825. McClelland tied her career high on floor with a 9.925.
Rotation One
The Big Red kicked off the night on vault and posted a 49.025 as a team. Hall and Sikon led NU, both with a 9.850. Sikon’s marked a new career high, while Hall’s was a season high, and the two tied for the event title. Emma Spence, Bácskay and Martina Comin all scored a 9.775, and Sophia McClelland rounded out the rotation with a 9.750.
Rotation Two
Up next, the Huskers took on the bars and scored a 49.100 as a team. Clara Colombo and Kinsey Davis posted a 9.850 to lead the Big Red, followed by Spence and Bácksay with a 9.825. Whitney Jencks (9.800) and Emma Simpton (9.775) finished the rotation.
Rotation Three
NU continued with beam, where Bácskay, Hall, and Spence all scored a 9.825 to lead the team. This marked a career high for Bácskay, and tied Spence’s season high. Sikon earned a 9.800, which tied her career high. Allie Gard followed with a 9.675, and McClelland rounded out the event with a 9.650. As a team, the Big Red scored a 48.950.
Rotation Four
To finish out the night and secure the meet, Nebraska scored a 49.375 on floor. McClelland tied her career high with a 9.925 to lead the team. Spence and Bácskay were both able to notch a 9.900, Spence’s tying her season high. Comin earned a 9.825, and Rourke finished out the lineup with a 9.775.
Up Next
The Big Red will travel to State College, Pa., to compete in the annual Big Fives meet on Friday, Feb. 23. NU will face No. 10 Michigan State, No. 13 Ohio State, No. 15 Minnesota and Rutgers. The meet will start at 5 p.m. (CT) and will be streamed on the Big Ten Network.