Laura Goss Season 2001-02

Two-time All-Big 12 performer Laura Goss was a four-year letterwinner for the Huskers from 1999 to 2002.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

2002 ? Senior Season

Goss took on the role of beam specialist, competing on the event in every competition in 2002. The Austell, Ga., native added her name to the NU record books by setting the senior class record on beam with a 9.95 at the 2002 Masters Classic. Goss helped <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Nebraska to a fifth-place finish at the Super Six Finals of the 2002 NCAA Championships, contributing beam scores of 9.65 and 9.70 in the preliminaries and team finals, respectively.

 

2001 ? Junior Season

Slowed by an ankle injury suffered in late December, Goss saw action in three meets in 2001. After competing in the Huskers’ season opener on Jan. 5, she was limited to an exhibition role on beam, but contributed on vault in NU’s last two regular-season competitions and the Big 12 Championships. Against IowaState, Goss competed on vault for the first time all season, recording a 9.80 and helping Nebraska to a 49.30 and a victory over the Cyclones.

 

At the Arizona State Invitational, Goss found herself in the Husker lineup on both vault and beam, adding scores of 9.775 and 9.70, respectively. Her marks contributed to Nebraska’s totals on both events and helped the Huskers end the Sun Devils’ five-year home winning streak.

 

Goss was also a factor in helping Nebraska capture its seventh Big 12 title in eight years. Her score of 9.725 was among the five counted in the team total and allowed Nebraska to smash the Big 12 and school record for team scores with a 197.65.

 

Goss injured her knee during practice on April 6 in preparation for the NCAA South Central Regional, and leaving her unable to compete in the postseason.

 

2000 ? Sophomore Season

After playing a limited role in 1999, Goss became an integral part of the Husker lineup as a sophomore. She enjoyed a breakthrough meet at the NCAA Championships, scoring 9.825 or higher on all six of her routines during the two days of team competition. Goss scored a 9.85 on all the events ? vault, beam and floor ? at the Super Six Finals, giving NU a fifth-place national finish. Goss won two beam titles during the season, tying for first at the Super Six Challenge (9.875) and in Bermuda (9.80).

 

At the NCAA Region 3 Championships, she tied for sixth place on both vault (9.85) and beam (9.825) and also filled in for Jen French on floor, scoring a 9.775 to finish 14th in her first floor routine since February. Goss turned in one of her best performances of the season at the Big 12 Championships, earning runner-up on honors on vault (9.90), while tying for third on beam (9.85) to capture All-Big 12 status on both events.

 

Goss also saw action on all four events during the course of the season. She made her all-around debut at the Bermuda Triangle Challenge, tying for third with a score of 38.70. Goss recorded a 9.825 or better on nine of her final 11 vaults, placing second against IowaState with a 9.875. She also recorded a career best of 9.90 on floor at the Masters Classic.

 

1999 ? Freshman Season

Goss was a valuable newcomer for the Huskers, competing in nine meets as a freshman. She provided depth on vault and beam, and scored a 9.70 or higher on four of her six beam routines, including a season-best 9.85 in NU’s win over PennState.

 

Goss also saw time in Nebraska’s vault lineup for much of the first half of the season, competing five times. She scored a 9.60 or better on three occasions, including a 9.65 against Oklahoma.

 

Before Nebraska

Goss competed for Coach Adam Adams at the Gymnastics Academy of Atlanta, and was an elite-level gymnast in 1998 after three years of Level 10 competition. Despite a 102-degree fever, Goss placed 16th in the all-around at the Georgia State Championships, including an eighth-place finish on beam in 1998. She placed 10th in the all-around at the Junior Olympic Region 8 meet in 1997 and finished first at the Sunshine Invitational and second at the Niagara Cup in 1997.

 

Personal

The daughter of Tony and Karen Goss, Laura was born Feb. 3, 1980, in Atlanta, Ga. She has one sister, Leslie. Goss attended SouthCobbHigh School and graduated with honors in 1998. A three-time academic All-Big 12 selection, Goss served on the Nebraska Student-Athlete Advisory Board. She graduated from Nebraska in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and currently works for Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue.

 

Career/Season Highs at Nebraska

Career Highs

    All-Around: 38.70 (at Bermuda Challenge, 1/21/00)

    Vault: 9.90 (at Big 12 Championships, 3/18/00)

    Bars: 9.65 (at Bermuda Challenge, 1/21/00)

    Beam: 9.95 (Masters Classic, 2/23/02)

    Floor: 9.80 (Masters Classic, 2/27/00)

2002 Season High

    Beam: 9.95 (Masters Classic, 2/23/02)

2001 Season Highs

    Vault: 9.80 (vs. IowaState, 3/12/01)

    Beam: 9.70 (at ASU Invite, 3/16/01)

2000 Season Highs

    All-Around: 38.70 (at Bermuda Challenge, 1/21/00)

    Vault: 9.90 (at Big 12 Championships, 3/18/00)

    Bars: 9.65 (at Bermuda Challenge, 1/21/00)

    Beam: 9.875 (at Super Six Challenge, 1/8/00)

    Floor: 9.80 (Masters Classic, 2/27/00)

1999 Season Highs

    Vault: 9.65 (vs. Oklahoma, 2/5/99)

    Beam: 9.85 (vs. PennState, 3/14/99)