Huskers Notch Season-Best Score at Big Fives

Lincoln, Neb. – The Nebraska women’s gymnastics team had the season’s best team score of 196.925 and placed second at the Big Five meeting.

Michigan State No. 19 took first place with a team score of 196.675. The Huskers outperformed No. 13 Ohio State (196,750), No. 18 Minnesota (195,800) and Rutgers (195,225) to finish second.

The Big Red had numerous season bests, including team bests on vault, uneven bars and floor. Individually, seven Huskers collectively set 11 new career high scores.

second grader Emma Spence shone as she took the uneven bars title with a 9.900 and tied for second in the all-around with a 39.575.

rotation one
The Huskers started the afternoon on the balance beam and posted a team score of 49.075. Sophia McClelland executed with a 9.875 followed by a 9.850 Emma Simpson. Emma Spence scored a 9,825 during Allie Gard earned 9,775. Ayzhia Hall added 9,750 and Clare Colombo rounded out the rotation at 9.725.

Michigan State’s Giana Kalefe scored a 9.925 on the balance beam to capture the singles title.

rotation two
Nebraska had a bye during the second round.

rotation three
NU posted their best floor score of the season in the third round with 49,350. Halle Rorke (9.875), McClelland (9.900) and Spence (9.900) all achieved their personal bests in the event. Kylie Piringer added a 9,850 while Martina Komin scored a 9.825. Katie Kuenemann ended up with 9,800.

Michigan State’s Gabrielle Stephen and Nikki Smith both earned 9,950, enough for the event title.

rotation four
The Big Red followed with another season-high 49.375 on vault. All six gymnasts also achieved personal season bests. Spence led by 9.925 during Kinsey Davis scored a 9,900. Comin scored 9.875 and Hall 9.850. Kuenemann finished with a 9.825 while McClelland rounded out the rotation with a 9.775.

Maddie Quarles of Minnesota claimed the vault title, scoring a perfect 10.0 in the event.

rotation five
Nebraska finished the meeting on the uneven bars with a 49.125, their best score of the season. Spence led the Big Red with 9,900 and took the event title. Colombo followed with a season-best 9.875, while Gibson posted a career-best 9.825. Simpson added a season best of his own with a 9.775, while Davis had a 9.750. McClelland finished with a 9.050 due to a fall.

Minnesota’s Tiarre Sales shared the event title on the uneven bars with Spence, earning her 9,900.

Overall
Spence had a career-best all-around with 39.550. McClelland earned 38,600 and placed 10th.

Michigan State’s Stephen took the all-around title with a score of 39.575.

Next
The Huskers return Monday, Feb. 27 when they host Michigan No. 3 in a doubleheader. It starts at 6pm (CT). The meeting will be streamed live on BTN+ (subscription). Fans can follow the Huskers on Facebook at NebraskaWGym, Twitter at HuskersWGym, or Instagram at HuskersWGymnastics for live updates during the meetup.