Iowa, where Nebraska topped Michigan State by a score of

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1 Women s Gymnastics 129 all-americans 29 consecutive postseason appearances 22 conference championships 13 cosida academic all-americans 5 ncaa champions 21 ncaa championship appearances Gymnastics Contact: Makayla Hipke I Office: I MEET TWO: NO. 7 NEBRASKA VS. MICHIGAN STATE Saturday, Jan p.m. CST Bob Devaney Sports Center HUSKERS HOST SPARTANS IN HOME OPENER Following a strong effort on the road last week at Michigan, the seventh-ranked Nebraska women s gymnastics team will return to the friendly confines of the Bob Devaney Sports Center for their home opener on Saturday, Jan. 19. The Huskers will welcome conference foe Michigan State to Lincoln as the teams square off at 6 p.m. CST. Fans unable to attend the meet will be able to view free live stats on Huskers.com or receive updates on Twitter by Both the Huskers and the Spartans will enter this weekend s meet on the hunt for their first win of the season. NU fell by a narrow margin last week at the hands of No. 1 Michigan, while Michigan State was defeated by in-state opponent Western Michigan. Nebraska boasts a 7-2 all-time series lead in the regular season against MSU, and a 5-0 postseason advantage. The two teams last met at the 2012 Big Ten Championship in Iowa City, A G L A N C E AT T H E S PA RTA N S Head Coach: Kathie Klages (23rd year) 2013 Record: 0-1 (0-0 Big Ten) 2013 High Score: (vs. W. Michigan, 1/12/13) 2012 Record: NCAA Finish: N/A Cell: I Media Relations Fax: I mhipke@huskers.com Iowa, where Nebraska topped Michigan State by a score of SCOUTING THE MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS The Michigan State Spartans field a young squad this season, with eight freshmen appearing alongside nine returners on the roster. MSU is 0-1 in 2013 after falling to Western Michigan last weekend in East Lansing by a score of The Spartans took home two event titles in the competition courtesy of sophomore Alina Cartwright (vault-9.90) and freshman Lisa Burt (floor-9.775). The 2013 Spartans have been paced by Cartwright, who started the season strong in her home opener. Cartwright is currently tied for eighth nationally on vault after opening last weekend with a She finished second in all-around competition last weekend at in a performance that including a vault title, fourth on bars and beam and a tie for fifth on floor. The Spartans were picked to finish eighth in the Big Ten this season after wrapping up 2012 with an record and an eighth-place finish at the 2012 conference championship. Head Coach Kathie Klages is in her 23rd year at the helm of the Michigan State program. NEBRASKA S ROTATION ORDER VS. MICHIGAN STATE Rotation Nebraska Michigan State 1. Vault Uneven Bars 2. Uneven Bars Vault 3. Balance Beam Floor Exercise 4. Floor Exercise Balance Beam NEBRASKA EDGED ON THE ROAD BY MICHIGAN The Huskers earned several strong individual performances but were unable to overpower Michigan in their season opener, falling by a score of on Jan. 12. Nebraska captured three event titles at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., against the Wolverines. NU saw multiple excellent early-season performances that point to a bright season for the defending conference champions. Returning All-Americans Jessie DeZiel and Emily Wong anchored Nebraska s performance, finishing with identical all-around scores of Wong finished in ties for first on floor (9.925) and second on beam (9.90) to earn a second-place award in all-around competition. DeZiel added a on bars, which tied her for third on the afternoon. Junior Jamie Schleppenbach earned the vault title with a solid Sophomore Jennifer Lauer also made a huge impact in her all-around debut for the Huskers, finishing at Her performance included a career-best 9.95 on beam that earned her the individual event title on the day. NU started the afternoon on bars, scoring a The Huskers were paced by a solid from DeZiel, Schedule Date Opponent/Meet Time/Results Jan. 12 at Michigan L, Jan. 19 Michigan State 6 p.m. Jan. 25 at Ohio State 6 p.m. Feb. 1 Illinois 6 p.m. Feb. 10 Penn State 2 p.m. Feb. 16 at Arizona 5 p.m. Feb. 22 Masters Classic 6 p.m. Boise State, Iowa State March 4 Iowa 6 p.m. March 9 at Minnesota w/ Arkansas, Centenary 6 p.m. March 16 at California 9 p.m. March 23 Big Ten Championships TBA (East Lansing, Mich.) April 6 at NCAA Regionals TBA April 19 NCAA Preliminaries TBA April 20 NCAA Super Six Finals TBA April 21 NCAA Event Finals TBA Note: All times listed are central and subject to change. Home meets are in bold and will be held at the Bob Devaney Sports Center Roster Name Yr. Events Hometown Jordyn Beck Fr. AA Overland Park, Kan. Hollie Blanske Fr. AA Oak Grove, Minn. Jessie DeZiel Fr. AA Rogers, Minn. Janelle Giblin Jr. AA San Ramon, Calif. Kailyn Hawkins RFr. AA Charlotte, N.C. Amanda Lauer Fr. AA Sioux City, Iowa Jennifer Lauer Fr. AA Sioux City, Iowa Ariel Martin Fr. AA Chicago, Ill. Madison McConkey Fr. AA Lincoln, Neb. Kassandra Nathe Jr. AA Sartell, Minn. Jamie Schleppenbach So. AA Lincoln, Neb. Brittany Skinner Jr. AA Los Altos, Calif. Desiré Stephens Fr. AA Omaha, Neb. Emily Wong So. AA Grand Forks, N.D. Head Coach: Dan Kendig (20th Year) Assistant Coach: Heather Brink (Second Year) Assistant Coach: Dan Miller (Second Year) Volunteer Assistant Coach: Owen Field (Third Year) Website: Facebook: Twitter: Husker Gymnastics Online Huskers.com Facebook.com/NebraskaWGym Twitter.com/HuskersWGym

2 which tied for third overall on the day. Lauer made her bars debut for the Huskers, posting a 9.825, while Wong picked up a 9.80 for the Big Red. After battling injuries that sidelined her for two seasons, senior Kassandra Nathe returned to competition for the Huskers, earning a 9.75 on bars. The Huskers moved to vault, traditionally one of Nebraska s strongest events. NU picked up a team score of on the afternoon, led by Schleppenbach s meet-best Desiré Stephens, DeZiel and Giblin all added identical marks of 9.775, and Wong chipped in a 9.75 for the Huskers. NU took to floor for their third event on the afternoon, where the team put together a solid score of Wong earned a strong early-season score at 9.925, while DeZiel captured a Stephens picked up a for the Big Red alongside identical scores of 9.75 from Lauer and Schleppenbach. Nebraska performed on beam for their final rotation, where Lauer powered the Huskers to a stellar earlyseason team score of Lauer s 9.95 was a career-best and earned her the event title on the day; Wong finished close behind at A late add to the beam lineup, DeZiel picked up a 9.85, while Giblin posted a NEBRASKA S TEAM EVENT RANKINGS Event Rank Average Vault 20th Bars T-9th Beam 1st Floor T-8th HUSKERS IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS Gymnast Event Rank Average Jessie DeZiel AA UB T BB T FX T Jennifer Lauer AA BB Jamie Schleppenbach V T Emily Wong BB T FX T top 10, grabbing the No. 8 spots in the all-around (39.375) and on bars (9.875). HUSKERS STEADY AT NO. 7 AFTER SEASON OPENER The Huskers held steady at No. 7 nationally following their season-opening meet against Michigan last Saturday. After being ranked seventh in the preseason, the Big Red remained well within the top ten of all teams and second among Big Ten squads. UCLA claimed the top spot with an average of , while Michigan took the No. 2 position ( ) and Oklahoma and Florida tied for the No. 3 spot ( ). LSU rounded out the top five nationally at Individually, the Huskers five routines ranked within the top 10 in the nation. Jennifer Lauer led the way for the Huskers, holding a No. 1 ranking on beam after earning a career-best 9.95 at Michigan. Wong joins Lauer in the beam rankings, appearing at a tie for fifth with a Wong also secured a spot in the national floor rankings, tying for fifth with a DeZiel joined Lauer and Wong as a Husker in the UP NEXT FOR NEBRASKA The Huskers will go on the road for the second time in three meets next weekend, facing 21st-ranked Ohio State in Columbus on Jan. 25. The Big Red will take on the Buckeyes at 6 p.m. CST in St. John Arena on the Ohio State University campus. The Buckeyes are currently 1-1 in 2013, holding a win over Bowling Green and a loss against then-no. 9 Oregon State. Ohio State will host Iowa in Columbus on Jan. 19 before meeting with the Huskers the following weekend. LAUER S BIG DAY LEADS HUSKERS TO NO. 1 BEAM RANKING NU s solid performance at Michigan was anchored by the team s impressive performance on beam. With five Huskers scoring above a 9.80, and two above a 9.90, the team rolled to a on the day--the nation s top beam score this week. The score marked Nebraska s highest output on beam since the 2012 season opener against Denver, when the Huskers scored a Paving the way for the Huskers stellar beam performance was Jennifer Lauer, who nailed a rock-solid routine to earn a 9.95 and the No. 1 national ranking on beam this week. Also contributing to the Big Red s efforts was returning beam All- American Wong, who snagged a 9.90 on the afternoon. Other Huskers posting scores above a 9.80 included DeZiel (9.85), Giblin (9.825) and Nathe (9.80). GymInfo National Rankings Released Jan. 14, 2013 Rank Team Team Ave. 1. UCLA Michigan Oklahoma Florida LSU Alabama Nebraska Georgia Arkansas Stanford Denver Minnesota Arizona Kentucky Utah Central Michigan Maryland-College Park California North Carolina State Southern Utah Ohio State West Virginia Oregon State Auburn BYU *2012 Husker opponents listed in italics Around the Big Ten Conference Saturday, Jan. 19 Illinois at Michigan (4 p.m. CST) Iowa at Ohio State (3 p.m. CST) Minnesota at Penn State (6 p.m. CST) with Kent State and Towson 2013 Event Titles Jennifer Lauer Beam (1): at Michigan, 1/12/13 (9.95) Jamie Schleppenbach Vault (1): at Michigan, 1/12/13 (9.875) Emily Wong Floor (1): at Michigan, 1/12/13 (9.925) Sophomore Jessie DeZiel is a three-time All- American and was the 2012 Big Ten Freshman of the Year. DOMINANT IN DEVANEY As the Huskers look for a victory this weekend at home against Michigan State, history is in their favor. The Huskers have been dominant within the walls of the Bob Devaney Sports Center, particularly over the last five seasons. From , Head Coach Dan Kendig has led the Huskers to a 28-3 record at home, including a 19-3 record against ranked teams. Nebraska s strength at home also lends itself during the annual Masters Classic, where the NU is a perfect 12-0 over the last five years. Of special note were the 2009 and 2010 seasons, when Kendig and the Huskers rolled to undefeated respective seasons of 6-0 and 8-0 at home. During that time, NU defeated four top-15 teams, including No. 3 UCLA, No. 7 Oklahoma, No. 11 Missouri and No. 15 Michigan at the Devaney Center. 2

3 Sophomore Jennifer Lauer is the No. 1 beam performer in the nation this week after hitting a 9.95 against Michigan on Jan. 12. Lauer s performance was a career-best and earned her the beam title on the meet. DEFENDING CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS LOOK FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS After winning its second consecutive conference title and its first in the Big Ten, Nebraska returns to the gym with even higher expectations for NU welcomes back seven total letterwinners from last season, including six All-Americans, while adding four newcomers to the roster. With a solid core of veterans and a stockpile of talent and depth, Head Coach Dan Kendig believes his 20th season with the Huskers has the makings of a top team on the national scene. We ve come a long way since the beginning of the year and put in a lot of work in the gym, the community and the classroom, Kendig said. Top to bottom, this season can be better than last season. If we keep working hard each day and getting better, I see good things on the horizon for this year. SIX ALL-AMERICANS POISED TO LEAD HUSKERS IN 2013 NU s efforts this season will be anchored by its six returning All-Americans, including three honorees that captured eight awards last season. Jessie DeZiel, Janelle Giblin and Emily Wong headline a group that has won 16 awards since 2010 and also includes seniors Kassandra Nathe and Brittany Skinner and junior Jamie Schleppenbach. Nebraska will look for sustained success from its vaulting corps as it fields four previous All-Americans. The group is led by 2012 first-team All-American Giblin and second-team honoree DeZiel alongside previous firstteamers Schleppenbach and Skinner. The Huskers will also welcome back three previous All-Americans in both all-around competition and on uneven bars. Notably returning to the competition floor on bars this season is 2010 second-team All-American Nathe, who has missed the past two seasons due to injury. Nathe is expected to provide a spark as well as depth to NU s bar lineup in Nebraska returns two All-Americans on floor and beam as well. KENDIG ARCHITECT OF ONE OF NATION S TOP PROGRAMS Now in his 20th year at the helm of the Nebraska gymnastics program, Head Coach Dan Kendig is the all-time winningest coach in Nebraska history. Kendig holds a record overall and a regular-season mark. An eight-time conference coach of the year selection, Kendig most recently earned Big Ten Coach of the Year honors last season after guiding the 2012 Huskers to the program s 22nd conference title. Kendig has also led the Huskers to 15 NCAA Championship appearances in the past 18 season, including NCAA Super Six Finals appearances in 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 and Kendig was honored as the NCAA Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2003, a year in which the Huskers finished fourth nationally. He guided the 2012 Huskers to a 24-7 record overall, including an eighth-place finish at the 2012 NCAA Championships in Duluth, Ga. The performance marked Nebraska s 28th consecutive NCAA post season appearance, while three of Kendig s gymnasts--jessie DeZiel (FX, AA, V), Janelle Giblin (V, UB) and Emily Wong (BB, FX, AA)--earned All-America honors. NU ASSISTANTS SET TO LEAD HUSKERS IN 2013 Joining Kendig in his leadership of the Huskers this season are second-year assistant coaches Heather Brink and Dan Miller. Brink continues her role in the gym as the team s beam coach while assisting with floor choreography. In her first season as an assistant with the Huskers, Brink helped coach Emily Wong to first-team All-America honors on beam. Brink s assistance with NU s floor routines also guided Jessie DeZiel to first-team All-America honors and Wong to second-team honors on the event. Miller continues to lead NU s efforts on vault and floor in During his first season at Nebraska in 2012, Miller guided DeZiel to first-team All-America honors on floor and second-team honors on vault. He also assisted in the development of Janelle Giblin, who earned first-team honors on vault, and Wong, who picked up second-team honors on floor. The gymnasts under Miller s tutelage in 2012 garnered a total of 15 floor titles and 14 vault titles throughout the season. Volunteer assistanch coach Owen Field, now in his third season in that position, aids NU s full-time staff in Field will assist head coach Dan Kendig on the uneven bars while also assisting with the Huskers strength and conditioning program. Nebraska s All-America Awards All-Around (First Team) Jessie DeZiel All-Around (Second Team) Emily Wong Janelle Giblin Balance Beam (First Team) Emily Wong Balance Beam (Second Team) Brittany Skinner Vault (First Team) Janelle Giblin , 2011 Jamie Schleppenbach Brittany Skinner Vault (Second Team) Jessie DeZiel Floor Exercise (First Team) Jessie DeZiel Floor Exercise (Second Team) Emily Wong Uneven Bars (First Team) Emily Wong Uneven Bars (Second Team) Janelle Giblin , 2010 Kassandra Nathe Nebraska s 2012 Big Ten Awards All-Big Ten Jessie DeZiel First Team Janelle Giblin First Team Lora Evenstad First Team Emily Wong First Team Jamie Schleppenbach Second Team All-Big Ten Championship Team Jessie DeZiel FX, AA Jamie Schleppenbach V Emily Wong V, BB, FX, AA Lora Evenstad FX, UB Janelle Giblin UB 2012 Academic All-Big Ten Deanna Barmore, Nutrition Science Lora Evenstad, Dietetics/Nutrition Science Janelle Giblin, Nutrition Science Jamie Schleppenbach, Advertising & Public Relations Emily Wong, Nutrition Science Big Ten Championship Awards Dan Kendig Coach of the Year Jessie DeZiel Freshman of the Year Emily Wong All-Around Champion 3

4 2013 NEBRASKA ROSTER Jordyn Beck Freshman AA 5-2 Overland Park, Kan. Hollie Blanske Freshman AA 5-2 Oak Grove, Minn. Jessie DeZiel Sophomore AA 5-4 Rogers, Minn. Janelle Giblin Senior AA 5-2 San Ramon, Calif. Kailyn Hawkins R. Freshman AA 5-7 Charlotte, N.C. Amanda Lauer Sophomore AA 5-3 Sioux City, Iowa Jennifer Lauer Sophomore AA 5-3 Sioux City, Iowa Ariel Martin Freshman AA 5-3 Chicago, Ill. Madison McConkey Freshman AA 5-4 Lincoln, Neb. Kassandra Nathe Senior AA 5-0 Sartell, Minn. Jamie Schleppenbach Junior AA 5-2 Lincoln, Neb. Brittany Skinner Senior AA 5-2 Los Altos, Calif. Desiré Stephens Sophomore AA 5-1 Omaha, Neb. Emily Wong Junior AA 5-2 Grand Forks, N.D. Dan Kendig Head Coach 20th Season Heather Brink Assistant Coach Second Season Dan Miller Assistant Coach Second Season Owen Field Volunteer Assistant Coach Third Season 4

5 HUSKER HIGH SCORES Hollie Blanske Bars: 9.70 (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Beam: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Bars: 9.70 (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Beam: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Jessie DeZiel Career Highs Vault: 9.95 (2 times, last at Salt Lake City Regional, 4/7/12) Bars: 9.90 (at Iowa State, 1/20/12) Beam: 9.90 (2 times, last at Minnesota, 2/18/12) Floor: 9.95 (at Utah, 3/9/12) All-Around: (at Minnesota, 2/18/12) Vault: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Bars: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Beam: 9.85 (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Floor: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) All-Around: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Janelle Giblin Vault: 9.95 (3 times, last vs. Iowa State, 3/16/12) Bars: 9.95 (vs. Iowa State, 3/16/12) Beam: 9.85 (2 times, last at Arkansas 2/24/12) Floor: (vs. Iowa State, 3/16/12) All-Around: (vs. Iowa State, 3/16/12) Vault: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Bars: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Beam: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Floor: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) All-Around: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Jennifer Lauer Vault: 9.85 (2 times, last at Salt Lake City Regional, 4/7/12) Bars: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Beam: 9.95 (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Floor: (vs. Iowa State, 3/16/12) All-Around: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Vault: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Bars: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Beam: 9.95 (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Floor: 9.75 (at Michigan, 1/12/13) All-Around: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Kassandra Nathe Vault: 9.85 (4 times, last at Big Ten Championships, 4/21/09) Bars: 9.85 (3 times, last at NCAA Championships, 4/22/12) Beam: (2 times, last at Big 12 Championships, 3/27/10) Floor: (3 times, last vs. Iowa State, 3/8/09) All-Around: (vs. Utah, 2/13/09) Bars: 9.75 (at Michigan, 1/13/12) Beam: 9.80 (at Michigan, 1/13/12) Jamie Schleppenbach Vault: 9.95 (4 times, last at Utah, 3/9/12) Bars: (at Utah, 3/9/12) Beam: 9.90 (at Utah, 3/9/12) Floor: 9.85 (2 times, last at Utah, 3/9/12) All-Around: (at Utah, 3/9/12) Vault: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Floor: 9.75 (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Brittany Skinner Vault: (at Arkansas, 2/24/12) Bars: (at Michigan, with Stanford, 2/13/11) Beam: (at Utah, 3/9/12) Floor: (vs. Michigan, Washington and Southern Utah, 2/11/12 ) All-Around: (vs. Michigan, Washington and Southern Utah, 2/11/12 ) Desiré Stephens Vault: (at Minnesota, 2/18/12) Floor: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Vault: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Floor: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Emily Wong Vault: (2 times, last at Big Ten Championships, 3/24/12) Bars: 9.90 (3 times, last vs. Iowa State, 3/16/12) Beam: (2 times, last at Oklahoma with Minnesota and Centenary, 2/3/12) Floor: (2 times, last at Michigan, 1/12/13) All-Around: (at Big Ten Championships, 3/24/12) Vault: 9.75 (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Bars: 9.80 (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Beam: 9.90 (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Floor: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) All Around: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) 2013 Season-High Team Scores Vault: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Uneven Bars: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Balance Beam: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Floor Exercise: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) Total: (at Michigan, 1/12/13) 5

6 2013 SEASON STATISTICS Nebraska at Michigan (Jan. 12) L, Crisler Center Ann Arbor, Mich. Name Vault Bars Beam Floor All-Around Jordyn Beck Holie Blanske Jessie DeZiel Janelle Giblin Kailyn Hawkins Amanda Lauer Jennifer Lauer Ariel Martin Madison McConkey Kassandra Nathe Jamie Schleppenbach Brittany Skinner Desiré Stephens Emily Wong Team Totals Team Vault Bars Beam Floor Total Nebraska Michigan