Nebraska Runs Away With a Win on Senior Night

Lincoln, Neb.- No. 3 Nebraska beat No. 7 Illinois with a score of 322.350-312.050 on March 14 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. This was Nebraska's highest team score of the season so far.

The Huskers had a three-way tie for the vault title. Those gymnasts included Nathan York, Luke James and Chase Mondi. Asher Cohen won the rings title, and York won the parallel bars title. Nebraska also celebrated senior night, recognizing its seniors during their final regular-season home appearance at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

NU started off on floor, where they are ranked third in the country. Max Odden went first and notched a 13.70. York followed with a stuck landing and a 13.40. James went third and scored a 13.90. Mondi finished up for the Huskers with a 13.80.

After the first rotation, Nebraska was in first with a 54.80, and Illinois was in second with a 51.85.

The Huskers moved over to pommel horse, and Wyatt Reynolds got the team started with a 12.75. Caden Clinton recorded a 13.80. Nik Tarca went third and scored a 13.40. York anchored for the Huskers with a 14.00. Nebraska ended with an event score of 53.95, which was a team high for the season.

NU remained in first with a 108.750, and Illinois followed with a 102.000.

Nebraska moved over to rings, where Anthony Koppie led off with a stuck landing and an 11.65. Odden followed with a 13.05. Sam Rakita went next and recorded a career-high score of 13.85 with a stuck landing. Cohen, who is ranked fourth in the country on this event, anchored with a 14.15. Nebraska ended with an event score of 52.70, which was another team high for the season. Jack Critz and Luke James competed as exhibition on this event. 

The Huskers were ahead with a 161.450, and Illinois had a 154.400.

The Big Red moved over to vault next. York started the Huskers off with a 14.15. James followed with a 14.15. Ty Roderiques went third and notched a 13.30. Mondi anchored Nebraska with a 14.15. NU ended the rotation with a team score of 55.75.

Nebraska stayed in first with a 217.200, and Illinois was in second with a 208.200.

The Huskers moved on to parallel bars. Clinton opened with a 13.25. York went second and finished his senior night with a stuck landing and a 14.10. Alex Nitache then recorded a 13.25 with a stuck landing. Cohen finished up for the Huskers with a 13.65. The Big Red ended the rotation with a score of 54.25. Critz competed in exhibition for the Huskers.

NU carried the lead into the final rotation with a score of 271.450-260.900.

NU ended the meet on high bar. Koppie got started with a 12.95. Tarca then recorded an 11.60 after a mishap on the landing. Nitache followed with a stuck landing and a 13.05. Odden, who is ranked second in the nation in this event, finished up the meet with a 13.30. Nebraska had a team score of 54.25 on the event.

Nebraska beat out Illinois with a score of 322.350-312.050.

Nebraska will travel to Michigan for its next meet on March 22 at 2 p.m. at Cliff Keen Arena. The meet will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.