HUSKERS.COM 1Huskers NEBRASKA GENERAL INFORMATION... 1-10 Media Information...6 Directory...7 COACHES AND STAFF... 11-22 Head Coach Dan Kendig...12 Assistant Coach Heather Brink...14 Assistant Coach Dan Miller...14 Support Staff...16 University Administration...20 THE HUSKERS... 23-34 Gymnast Profiles...24 THE OPPONENETS... 35-40 2014 Opponents...36 THE 2013 REVIEW... 41-53 2013 Season Recap...42 Results...44 HISTORY AND RECORDS... 55-82 Program History...56 All-Time Results...72 THIS IS NEBRASKA...83-100 This is Nebraska Gymnastics...84 2014 WOMEN S GYMNASTICS 2014 Media Guide Credits The 2014 Nebraska Women's Gymnastics Media Guide was written and designed by Maggie Still of the Nebraska Media Relations Office, with editorial assistance from Director Keith Mann, Director of Operations Jeff Griesch, Administrative Assistant Vicki Capazo and the Women's Gymnastics Office. Layout and Design Maggie Still Photography Athletic Department Photographer Scott Bruhn and UNL Photo Services. Cover Design Annie Wood The guide was produced entirely on Adobe InDesign CS4 and printed at University of Nebraska Printing Services. The cost of the 2014 Nebraska Women s Gymnastics Media Guide is $4.67 plus $0.33 tax.
THE HUSKERS 2014 Jordyn Beck Ashley Lambert Madison McConkey GENERAL INFORMATION COACHES INFORMATION Hollie Blanske Amanda Lauer Jamie Schleppenbach Location... Lincoln, Neb. Population... 264,501 Founded... 1869 Enrollment... 24,445 Colors...Scarlet and Cream Nickname... Cornhuskers, Huskers Conference... Big Ten Home Facility...Bob Devaney Sports Center (7,907) Head Coach... Dan Kendig, 21th Year (Kentucky, 1979) Record at Nebraska... 459-175-4 (20 years) Career Record... 572-287-5 (30 years) Office Phone...(402) 472-3808 Office Address...203 Coliseum - Lincoln, NE 68588-0648 Assistant Coach... Dan Miller (Third Year) Assistant Coach...Heather Brink (Third Year) Volunteer Assistant Coach... Alina Weinstein (First Year) Jessie DeZiel Jennifer Lauer Desire Stephens QUICK FACTS TEAM INFORMATION 2013 Record... 19-5 2013 Big Ten Conference Finish... First (197.80) 2013 NCAA Morgantown Regional... Third (195.875) All-Americans Returning... 3 All-Americans Lost... 3 Letterwinners Returning/Lost...7/3 Newcomers... 2 MEDIA RELATIONS Jennie Laeng Ariel Martin Emily Wong Media Relations Contact...Maggie Still Office Phone...(402) 472-6263 Still s E-Mail...mstill@huskers.com Media Relations Fax...(402) 472-2005 Web Site... Huskers.com 2 NEBRASKA WOMEN S GYMNASTICS 2014
HUSKER TIDBITS PRONUNCIATIONS Jamie SCHLEPPENBACH...SHLEP-in-bock Jessie DeZIEL...Duh-ZEEL Hollie BLANSKE...BLAN-ski BIRTHDAYS Jordyn Beck...June 12 Hollie Blanske... April 1 Heather Brink... May 14 Jessie DeZiel...Aug. 12 Jennie Laeng...June 2 Ashley Lambert... March 4 Amanda Lauer... March 30 Jennifer Lauer... March 30 Dan Kendig...Oct. 18 Ariel Martin... March 4 Madison McConkey...Sept. 16 Dan Miller...Jan. 17 Jamie Schleppenbach... March 25 Desiré Stephens... May 1 Emily Wong...Aug. 7 ACADEMIC MAJORS Jordyn Beck... Nutrition, Exercise and Health Sciences Hollie Blanske... Business Marketing Jessie DeZiel... Nutrition, Exercise and Health Sciences Jennie Laeng... Psychology Ashley Lambert... Dietetics Amanda Lauer... Nutrition, Exercise and Health Sciences Jennifer Lauer... Nutrition, Exercise and Health Sciences Ariel Martin... Biological Sciences Madison McConkey...Nutrition, Exercise and Health Sciences Jamie Schleppenbach... Advertising and Public Relations Desiré Stephens... Advertising and Public Relations Emily Wong... Nutrition, Exercise and Health Sciences Name Height Year Events Hometown High School Club Jordyn Beck 5-2 R.Fr. AA Overland Park, Kan. Blue Valley West High School McCrackens Gymnastics Hollie Blanske 5-2 So. AA Oak Grove, Minn. St. Franics High School Twin City Twisters Jessie DeZiel 5-4 Jr. AA Rogers, Minn. Spectrum High School Twin City Twisters Jennie Laeng 5-7 Fr. AA West Middlesex, Pa. Kennedy Catholic High School Olympic Dreams Gymnastics Ashley Lambert 5-0 Fr. AA Newposrt News, Va. Menchville High School World Class Gymnastics Amanda Lauer 5-3 Jr. AA Sioux City, Iowa East High School Premier Gymnastics (Omaha, Neb.) Jennifer Lauer 5-3 Jr. AA Sioux City, Iowa East High School Premier Gymnastics (Omaha, Neb.) Ariel Martin 5-3 R. Fr. AA Chicago, Ill. Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School Illinois Gymnastics Institute Madison McConkey 5-4 So. AA Lincoln, Neb. Pius X High School Nebraska School of Gymnastics Jamie Schleppenbach 5-4 Sr. AA Lincoln, Neb. Pius X High School Nebraska School of Gymnastics Desiré Stephens 5-1 Jr. AA Omaha, Neb. Millard West High School Nebraska Gold Emily Wong 5-4 Sr. AA Grand Forks, N.D. Red River High School Red River Valley HUSKERS.COM 3
2014 NEBRASKA GYMNASTICS SCHEDULE Date Day Meet Location Time Jan. 11 Saturday Northern Illinois Devaney Center 6 p.m. Jan. 18 Saturday Ozone Collegiate Classic Knoxville, Tenn. 8 p.m. Alabama and Kentucky Jan. 24 Friday at Iowa Iowa City, Iowa 7 p.m. Feb. 1 Saturday Minnesota Devaney Center 6 p.m. Feb. 8 Saturday at Penn State State College, Pa. 4 p.m. Feb. 14 Friday Michigan Devaney Center 6 p.m. Feb. 23 Sunday Masters Classic Devaney Center 2 p.m. Kentucky, Wisconsin-Stout, Bridgeport March 1 Saturday at Oregon State with Arizona State Corvallis, Ore. 6 p.m. March 8 Saturday Arkansas Devaney Center 6 p.m. March 15 Saturday at Michigan State Illinois, Ohio State East Lansing, Mich. 1:30 p.m. March 22 Saturday at Big Ten Championships State College, Pa. TBA April 5 Saturday at NCAA Regionals Campus Sites TBA April 18 Friday at NCAA Preliminaries Birmingham, Ala. TBA April 19 Saturday at NCAA Super Six Finals Birmingham, Ala. TBA April 20 Sunday at NCAA Individual Event Finals Birmingham, Ala. TBA Note: Home meets in bold. All times listed are central and subject to change. For ticket information, refer to Huskers.com or call 1-800-8-BIGRED NEBRASKA TRAVEL PLANS Lincoln * TICKET PRICES Regular Season Season Ticket (Adult)...$22 Season Ticket (Youth)...$12 Single Meet Ticket (Adult)...$5 Single Meet Ticket (Youth)...$3 NU Student with Valid ID...Free Children 6 and under...free HUSKERS.COM BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS Location...State College, Pa. Host School...Penn State Date...Saturday, March 22 Meet Time...TBA Arena (Capacity)...Rec Hall (5,812) Host Contact...Greg Campbell Office Phone...(814) 865-1757 Fax...(814) 863-3165 Website...www.gopsusports.com AT OZONE COLLEGIATE CLASSIC (Jan. 18) Against Alabama and Kentucky Depart: Jan. 16 Return: Jan. 19 Commercial Flight Team Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott-Cedar Bluff AT IOWA (Jan. 24) Depart: Jan. 23 Return: Jan. 25 Arrow Stage Lines Team Hotel: Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center Phone:...(319) 335-9411 Contact... Hayley Otto AT PENN STATE (Feb. 8) Depart: Feb. 7 Return: Feb. 9 Commercial Flight Team Hotel: The Atherton Hotel Phone:...(814) 865-1757 Contact...Greg Campbell 4 NEBRASKA WOMEN S GYMNASTICS 2014 AT OREGON STATE (March 1) With Arizona State Depart: Feb. 28 Return: March 2 Commercial Flight Team Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Phone:...(541) 737-3720 Contact... Jason Amberg AT MICHIGAN STATE (March 15) With Illinois and Ohio State Depart: March 14 Return: March 16 Commercial Flight Team Hotel: East Lansing Marriott at University Place Phone:...(517) 355-2271 Contact... Aimee Dublebohn AT BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS (March 22) Depart: March 20 Return: March 23 Commercial Flight Team Hotel: Toftrees Golf Resort & Conference Center Phone:...(814) 865-1757 Contact...Greg Campbell NCAA REGIONALS Arkansas...Fayetteville, Ark. Georgia...Athens, Ga. LSU...Baton Rouge, La. Minnesot.a...Minneapolis, Minn. Penn State...State Collage Pa. Washington...Seattle, Wash. NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS Location...Birmingham, Ala. Host...Alabama Preliminaries...Friday, April 18 Super Six Finals...Saturday, April 19 Event Finals...Sunday, April 20 Arena...Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex
BIG TEN CONFERENCE The Big Ten Conference Since its inception in 1896, the pursuit and attainment of academic excellence has been a priority for every Big Ten member institution. But maintaining the conference s status as one of the preeminent athletic conferences in the country also endures as an important component of the Big Ten student-athlete experience. Striking that balance between academics and athletics is integral to the Big Ten s identity, and the Big Ten s Honoring Legends. Building Leaders. campaign links directly to the Big Ten Tenmission. Recognized as one of the intercollegiate sports most successful undertakings, James E. Delany Commissioner the Big Ten strives for success from its student athletes not only on the field and in the classroom, but around the world as well. Premier Academic Institutions All Big Ten Universities have been granted Tier One Status by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a distinction awarded to just over 100 universities. Big Ten schools have produced more than 1,450 Academic All-Americans, more than any other conference, including 46 in the last academic year. For the 2011 fiscal year, the Big Ten led all conferences with over $8 billion in research expenditures, more than $2 billion more than any other conference. A History Of Athletic Success During the 2012-13 season, the Big Ten institutions claimed seven national championships: Indiana men s soccer; Michigan men s gymnastics; Michigan men s swimming and diving; Minnesota women s ice hockey; Nebraska women s bowling; Ohio State women s rowing; and Penn State wrestling. Over the last 10 years, the Big Ten is tied for the conference lead with national titles in 14 different NCAA-sponsored championships, including bowling, cross country, fencing, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, track and field, volleyball and wrestling. Broad-Based Programming Almost 1,400 Big Ten student-athletes and coaches have participated in the Olympics, winning at least 460 medals, including nearly 250 gold. Big Ten universities provide over $141 million in direct financial aid to more than 8,200 student-athletes playing on more than 300 teams in 42 different sports. The Big Ten sponsors 26 official conference sports, 13 for men and 13 for women, including the debut of men s ice hockey as an official conference sport this academic year. In 2014-15, men s and women s lacrosse will be added as the conference s 27th and 28th official sports, giving the Big Ten more official sports than all conferences other than the Ivy League. Passionate Following The Big Ten leads all conferences with nearly five million alumni and more than 460,000 students. Big ten fans are some of the nation s most supportive, with nearly 9.8 million patrons attending conference home contests during the 2012-13 seasons for football, men s and women s basketball and volleyball alone. Leaders in Innovation The Big Ten first awarded the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 1915, honoring outstanding senior student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in academics and athletics. The conference will award its 100th Medal of Honor in May 2014. The Big Ten Advisory Commission was formed in 1972. It enlists former student-athletes to serve as liaisons to the NCAA s Diversity and Inclusion Department, the Big Ten Student-Athlete Advisory Commission and other organizations. Extensive Television Exposure Through the Big Ten s media agreements with CBS Sports, ABC/ESPN, FOX and the Big Ten Network (BTN), nearly 1,000 Big Ten events are produced and distributed nationally on an annual basis. In 2006, the Big Ten created BTN, the first national conference-owned television network. With more than 53 million subscribers in the U.S. and Canada- and more outside the Big Ten region than inside -- BTN allows fans to see their teams compete regardless of where they live. Big Ten Administration Commissioner... James E. Delany Deputy Commissioner...Brad Traviolia Chief Communications Officer... Diane Dietz Senior Associate Commissioner-Television Administration... Mark D. Rudner Associate Commissioner-Men's Basketball...Rick Boyages Associate Commissioner-Championships...Wendy Fallen Associate Commissioner-Compliance...Chad Hawley Associate Commissioner-Governance...Jennifer Heppel Associate Commissioner-Technology... Mike McComiskey Associate Commissioner-Football & Basketball Operations... Andrea Williams Assistant Commissioner-Communications... Scott Chipman Big Ten Communications Staff Chief Communications Officer... Diane Dietz Assistant Commissioner-Communications... Scott Chipman Assistant Director of Communications...Dan Mihalik Robert Hammel Communications Intern/Women's Gym contact...olivia Truby Contact The Big Ten Office 1500 West Higgins Road Park Ridge, IL, 60068-6300 Phone: (847) 696-1010 Fax: (847) 696-1150 bigten.org Junior Desire Stephens HUSKERS.COM 5
MEDIA INFORMATION The 2014 Nebraska Women's Gymnastics media guide is designed to assist the media in its coverage of Husker gymnastics. Additional information, including releases and photographs, may be obtained by contacting the Media Relations Office at (402) 472-2263. Media Services Meet notes and media guides will be provided before each meet. Final results will be available following each meet in the press room. Starting one hour before each meet, refreshments and a light meal will be served for members of the working press in the courtside room. A Media Relations representative will be in the working media room on the south side of the Devaney Center until all writers have filed. Media Relations Office The University of Nebraska Media Relations Office is located in The Tom and Nancy Osborne Athletic Complex, which is at the north end of Memorial Stadium. The Osborne Complex is approximately one mile from the Devaney Center. Address: Nebraska Media Relations Office, One Memorial Stadium, P.O. Box 880123, Lincoln, NE, 68588-0123. Phone: (402) 472-2263. Fax Access The Nebraska Media Relations Office has an automatic facsimile machine which can transmit or receive documents. The phone number for the fax is (402) 472-2005. Student-Athlete Interviews All media requests for interviews with Nebraska gymnasts should be directed to Maggie Still at least one day in advance. Gymnasts are usually available for telephone interviews early afternoons and evenings. The best time for in-season interviews is after practice at the Mabel Lee Hall practice gym. With advance notice, interviews can be arranged for other hours. Coach Dan Kendig/Gymnastics Staff Interview Time Interviews with Coach Kendig should be coordinated through Maggie Still in the Media Relations Office at (402) 472-6263. Coach Kendig's office telephone number is (402) 472-3808. Media Parking Parking for the media is located next to and across the street from the Bob Devaney Sports Center in a portion of Lot 52. Enter on 14th Street and follow west side of Devaney Center. Devaney Center Directions The Bob Devaney Sports Center is located on the west edge of Nebraska s new Innovation Campus. To reach it from the Lincoln Municipal Airport, turn right on Northwest 12th Street as you drive out of the airport. Northwest 12th Street becomes Cornhusker Highway, which intersects with 14th Street. Exit south on 14th Street off Cornhusker Highway. Travel to Military Avenue and turn left. Continue a half mile and enter Innovation Campus. Take the first right turn before the Devaney Center and follow the access road to Lot 4 on the South Side of the arena. From Omaha s Eppley Airfield, follow the signs to downtown Omaha and I-480. Take I-480 West to I-80, then take I-80 West approximately 60 miles to I-180. Exit South on I-180, then exit East to Cornhusker Highway and follow the instructions above. Post-Meet Interviews Nebraska gymnasts and coaches are generally available on the gym floor immediately following the presentation of team and individual event awards. Press Row Location Press row for most Nebraska gymnastics meets is located on the south sideline of the gym floor. Press Room The Devaney Center press room is located off the hallway at the southeast corner of the arena. The press room opens one hour before each meet. Telephone/Internet Access Nebraska provides telephones, ethernet lines and a wireless connection in the Bob Devaney Sports Center Working Media Room. All long distance calls must be credit card, collect or billed to a third number. Photographers All working photographers in the Bob Devaney Sports Center must display their working credentials. No flash or strobe photography is allowed. Publications The Nebraska Media Relations Office is one of the best programs in the nation at producing award-winning media guides for its 24 varsity sports. Over the past six years, Nebraska has been one of the nation s leaders in this department, winning more than 100 Awards of Excellence from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). MEDIA OUTLETS Newspapers Address Phone Fax Contact Associated Press 909 N. 9th St., Suite 104, Omaha, NE, 68114 (402) 391-0031 (402) 391-1412 Eric Olson Lincoln Journal Star 926 P St., Lincoln, NE, 68508 (402) 473-7431 (402) 473-7291 Lori Griffin Omaha World-Herald 14th and Dodge St., Omaha, NE, 68102 (402) 444-1000 (402) 334-3343 Thad Livingston Daily Nebraskan 34 Nebraska Union, Lincoln, NE, 68588 (402) 472-1765 (402) 472-1761 Zach Tiegler Television Stations KLKN (ABC, Ch.8) 3240 S. 10th St., Lincoln, NE, 68502 (402) 436-2251 (402) 436-2236 Brett Edwards KOLN (CBS, Ch. 10/11) 40th and W, Lincoln, NE, 68503 (402) 467-9270 (402) 467-9208 Kevin Sjuts KMTV (CBS, Ch. 3) 10714 Mockingbird, Omaha, NE, 68127 (402) 592-4330 (402) 592-4714 Chase Williams KETV (ABC, Ch. 7) 27th and Douglas, Omaha, NE, 68131 (402) 978-8958 (402) 978-8931 Andy Kendeigh WOWT (NBC, Ch. 6) 3501 Farnam, Omaha, NE, 68131 (402) 233-7940 (402) 346-6740 Ross Jernstrom KPTM (FOX, Ch. 42) 4625 Farnam, Omaha, NE, 68132 (402) 554-4286 (402) 554-4292 Curt Casper NET Sports (PBS, Ch. 12) 1800 N. 33rd St., Lincoln, NE, 68503 (402) 472-3611 (402) 472-1785 Joe Turco Radio Stations KLIN (1400 AM) 4343 O St., Lincoln, NE, 68510 (402) 475-4567 (402) 474-8011 Chris Whitney KFAB (1110 AM) 5010 Underwood, Omaha, NE, 68132 (402) 556-5060 (402) 556-8937 Gary Sadlemyer KFOR (1240 AM) 6900 Van Dorn, Suite 11, Lincoln, NE, 68506 (402) 466-1234 (402) 467-4095 Chuck Stevens ESPN (1480 AM) 6900 Van Dorn, Suite 11, Lincoln, NE, 68506 (402) 483-5100 (402) 483-4095 Dick Janda KRNU (90.3 FM) 201 Andersen Hall, Lincoln, NE, 68588 (402) 472-9030 (402) 472-8403 Rick Alloway 6 NEBRASKA WOMEN S GYMNASTICS 2014
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT DIRECTORY University Administration...Area Code (402) Chancellor: Harvey Perlman, J.D...472-2116 President: James B. Milliken, J.D...472-2111 Institutional Representative: Josephine Potuto, J.D...472-1252 Athletic Administration Director of Athletics: Shawn Eichorst... 472-3011 Executive Associate A.D.: Marc Boehm...472-3011 Senior Associate A.D./Academics: Dennis Leblanc...472-2042 Senior Associate A.D./Administration & Senior Woman Administrator: Pat Logsdon...472-3011 Senior Associate A.D.: Bob Burton...472-5663 Senior Associate A.D./Performance & Strategic Research: Steve Waterfield...472-3011 Associate A.D./Community Relations: Chris Anderson...472-7771 Associate A.D./Athletic Medicine: Lonnie Albers, M.D...472-2276 Associate A.D./Facilities and Events: Butch Hug...472-1000 Associate A.D./Capital Planning and Construction: John Ingram...472-1000 Associate A.D./Leadership, Student-Athlete Recruitment and Diversity Initiatives: Jamie Williams...472-2367 Associate A.D./Compliance: Jamie Vaughn...472-2042 Associate A.D./Huskers Athletic Fund: Paul Meyers...472-2367 Associate A.D./Life Skills and NClub: Keith Zimmer...472-4614 Assistant A.D./Football Operations: Jeff Jamrog...472-3116 Assistant A.D./Ticketing: Holly Adam...472-3111 Assistant A.D./HuskerVision: Shot Kleen...472-4645 Assistant A.D./Media Relations: Keith Mann...472-2263 Assistant A.D./Marketing, Licensing and Concessions: Michael Stephens...472-9446 Associate Directors of Academic Programs: Katie Jewell, Kim Schellpeper...472-4611 Executive Director of Video Production: Kirk Hartman...472-4645 Director of Business Operations: Jan Brown...472-2273 Director of Information Technology: Dan Floyd...472-2368 Outreach Director: Doak Ostergard...472-3011 Senior Writer and Director of Customer Relations: Randy York...472-4647 Athletic Medicine Staff Chief of Staff/Orthopedic Surgeon: Dr. Pat Clare...472-2276 Associate Director of Athletic Medicine/Head Athletic Trainer: Jerry Weber...472-2276 Head Football Athletic Trainer: Mark Mayer...472-2276 Women's Gymnastics Athletic Trainer: Tom Dufresne...472-3465 Assistant Athletic Trainers: Brad Brown, Jolene Emricson, Lisa Loewenstein, Julie Tuttle, R.J. Pietig, Emily Schueth, Jeff Rudy, Patrick Spiedldenner...472-2276 Orthopedists: Dr. Scott Strasburger, Dr. David Clare, Dr. Justin Harris...472-2276 Sports Nutritionists: Lindsey Remmers...472-4618 Academic Performance Staff Coordinator of Student-Athlete Development: Alvin Banks...472-4611 Learning Specialist: Andrea Einspahr...472-4611 Academic Counselors: Sheri Hastings, Mike Nieman, Caleb Hawley...472-2042 HuskerVision Video Services Coordinator: Mike Hodges...472-4645 Video Production Coordinator: Amanda Holzwarth...472-4645 Chief Engineer: Scott Guthrie...472-4645 Video Production Specialists: Brad Colee, Chris Pankonin, Tyler Bassinger...472-4645 Web Department Director of Web Operations: Kelly Mosier...472-0342 Media Relations Media Relations Director of Operations: Jeff Griesch...472-2263 Associate Director: Shamus McKnight...472-2263 Assistant Directors: Matt Smith, Jeremy Foote, Hilary Winter...472-2263 Graduate Intern: Chris Roekle...472-2263 Women's Gymnastics Media Relations Contact: Maggie Still...472-2263 Design Specialist: Annie Wood...472-2263 Photographer: Scott Bruhn...472-2263 Administrative Assistant: Vicki Capazo...472-2263 Information Location: Lincoln, Neb. Population: 264,501 Founded: 1869 Enrollment: 24,445 Arena: Bob Devaney Sports Center Capacity: 7,907 Nickname: Cornhuskers, Huskers Colors: Scarlet and Cream Conference: Big Ten Chancellor: Harvey Perlman, J.D. Institutional Rep.: Josephine Potuto, J.D. Director of Athletics: Shawn Eichorst Office Phone: (402) 472-3011 Head Coach: Dan Kendig 203 Coliseum Lincoln, Neb., 68588-0648 Office Phone: (402) 472-3808 E-mail: dkendig@huskers.com Assistant Coach: Heather Brink Office Phone: (402) 472-8808 E-mail: hbrink@huskers.com Assistant Coach: Dan Miller Office Phone: (402) 472-7808 E-mail: dan.miller@huskers.com Media Relations Director: Keith Mann One Memorial Stadium P.O. Box 880123 Lincoln, Neb., 68588-0123 Office Phone: (402) 472-2263 E-mail: kmann@huskers.com Gymnastics Contact: Maggie Still Office Phone: (402) 472-6263 Fax: (402) 472-2005 E-mail: mstill@huskers.com Administration President James B. Milliken, J.D. Board of Regents Timothy Clare, Lincoln Hal Daub Omaha Howard Hawks, Omaha Lavon Heidemann, Elk Creek Bob Phares, North Platte Jim Pillen, Columbus Kent Schroeder, J.D., Kearney Bob Whitehouse, Papillion Student Regents Moses Moxey, Nebraska-Kearney Jeremy Hosein, Nebraska-Medical Center Martha Spangler, Nebraska-Omaha Eric Reznicek, Nebraska-Lincoln HUSKERS.COM 7
2014 SEASON PREVIEW Jessie DeZiel Emily Wong Jennifer Lauer 2013 Second-Team All-American (BB, AA) 2013 First-Team All-American (V, FX, AA) 2013 Big Ten Beam Co-Champion The Nebraska women s gymnastics team heads into the 2014 season with sights set high. The two-time defending Big Ten champions welcome back three All-Americans, seven returning letterwinners, and two newcomers. The Huskers will have a stockpile of talent to once again rank among the nation s elite collegiate programs. NU is led by head coach Dan Kendig, who enters his 21st season at Nebraska. Kendig sees the potential for continued success with the 2014 squad. I do think at the end of the day we will have a better team than we had last year, Kendig said. We definitely have the potential to have that happen. The girls are training incredibly hard and their focus is tremendous. This could be an exciting season for us. Kendig will be joined by assistant coaches Dan Miller, Heather Brink and volunteer assistant coach Alina Weinstein. Miller will lead NU s powerful vault and floor squads for the third year, and Brink will coach the Huskers beam exercises and assist with floor choreography. Leading the Way -Returning Huskers Nebraska s solid core of seven letterwinners returns, as the Huskers have one of the toughest schedules in the country. NU faces four teams who finished in the top 10 in the country last season. Leading the way for the Huskers is senior Emily Wong, who finished third in the all-around at the NCAA Championships last season. A five-time first-team All- American will contend for a national all-around title. In her impressive junior campaign, Wong collected 24 titles including the Big Ten all-around crown for the second consecutive year. Wong, posted her career-best all-around score of 39.725 at the Big Ten Championships and added a career best on floor (9.975). A leader in the classroom, Wong claimed second-team CoSIDA Academic All-America honors, NACGC/W Scholastic All- America and Academic All-Big Ten accolades. Emily is one incredible young lady in every single aspect of her life, Kendig said. She is a perfectionist and trains to be that way. She shows up to practice everyday with a smile on her face and is always ready to work. I really expect her to have one outstanding senior season. Kendig is also excited to see the return of senior Jamie Schleppenbach to the lineup. After battling injuries last season, the Lincoln, Neb., native wants to end her career at Nebraska on a high note. A first-team All-American on vault in 2011, Schleppenbach will look to re-enter the Husker lineup as an all-around competitor. Prior to her injury last season Schleppenbach captured two vault titles in only four showings on the event, taking home top honors at Michigan. In the classroom, Schleppenbach captured Academic All-Big Ten accolades in 2013. Junior all-arounder Jessie DeZiel will enter her third year with the Huskers as one of the team s strongest competitors. In 2012, she was a first-team All-American in the all-around and also was the NCAA Salt Lake City Regional all-around champion. DeZiel captured second-team All-America accolades in the all-around and on beam. As one of the most talented gymnasts Nebraska has had in recent years, she will be relied upon for her strong skills and performances in 2014. Jessie is a powerful, consistent performer who does not like to make mistakes, Kendig said. She is so talented and fun to watch especially once we are in competition season. This girl is a competitor, and I think we will see her shine this year. Junior Jennifer Lauer returns looking to do big things for the Huskers. Lauer brings power to the Nebraska lineups and will use that as she hopes to make a mark on all four events. Last season she secured her spot as one of NU s top beam workers by claiming five titles on the event including a share of the Big Ten Championship beam title with teammate Emily Wong. Lauer captured multiple academic honors last season including, academic All-Big Ten, NCAGC/W Scholastic All-America and Big 8 NEBRASKA WOMEN S GYMNASTICS 2014
HUSKERS LOOK TO BUILD ON 2013 Ten Distinguished Scholar. Juniors Desire Stephens and Amanda Lauer both return as steady and valuable gymnasts for NU. Last season, Stephens, a two-event specialist on vault and floor, helped the Huskers earn their highest vaulting team score in Nebraska history (49.725) at the Big Ten Championships. She will work to add to the Huskers powerful vault lineup this season. Amanda Lauer will also look for steady improvement as she competes for a spot in NU s beam and bar lineups. Sophomore Hollie Blanske has the ability to make a statement as one of Nebraska s top vaulters this season. Blanske was a important part of Nebraska s Big Ten Championship-winning efforts, finishing in a tie for sixth on floor (9.90) and earning share of the Big Ten title on vault (9.95). Nebraska will welcome back two gymnasts who were injured last season; redshirt freshmen Jordyn Beck and Ariel Martin. In addition, sophomore walk-on Madison McConkey, who spent last season adjusting to the competition level of collegiate gymnastics, will join the Huskers in 2014. These gymnasts will continue improving to break into multiple NU lineups this season. Huskers Welcome Talented Newcomers The Huskers will introduce two talented newcomers to the roster this season. Jennie Laeng and Ashley Lambert are both level 10 gymnasts who will help fill important roles with the loss of three seniors last season. They are both so talented, Kendig said. We definitely filled some holes that we needed filled with them. I think individually they are both very talented and have their separate strengths that will really help us out this year. Laeng joins the Huskers from West Middlesex, Pa., and will look to break into all four events for the Huskers. She was the all-around, vault and beam champion at the 2011 Junior Olympic National Invitational, and Kendig is impressed with Laeng s work ethic and clean lines in every event. A five-time Junior Olympic National Qualifier, Lambert is a powerful gymnast from Newport News, Va., who looks to make an impact on vault and beam. Kendig said Lambert carries a competitive nature and powerful performances on all events. Event Preview: Vault -3 All-Americans: DeZiel, Schleppenbach, Wong -All Big Ten 2013: Blanske, DeZiel Coming off an historic year on vault with the highest team score in NU history (49.725) at the Big Ten Championships, the Husker vaulting squad is hoping to top their 2013 season. The lineup returns three All-Americans including Wong, who picked up first-team honors last season, Schleppenbach a first-team All-American in 2011 and DeZiel, a second-team selection in 2012. Also adding depth is Hollie Blanske who earned a share of the 2013 Big Ten vault title, and Desire Stephens who has been a strong, and consistent competitor for NU. Redshirt freshman Ariel Martin, as well as both true freshmen, Jennie Laeng and Ashley Lambert hope to add explosiveness to a powerful vault lineup in 2014. Assistant coach Dan Miller is impressed with his squad and says he is looking forward to strong and consistent performances from the Huskers. We have the top three vaulting scores in the country and set a school record, Miller said. That is a pretty high standard for us to keep up with, but I love that. The freshmen will look to be competitors on vault, and our upper classmen have set a high standard. All I can say is that it will be exciting when we go to vault. Jamie Schleppenbach Event Preview: Uneven Bars -1 All-American: Wong - All Big Ten 2013: Wong Though the Huskers lost two former second-team All- Americans in Janelle Giblin and Kassandra Nathe, they return first-team All-American Emily Wong in 2014. Nebraska will also return several consistent competitors from the 2013 squad, including DeZiel, Schleppenbach, and Lauer. McConkey and all four freshmen (Martin, Beck, Laeng and Lambert) will also be candidates to see time for the Huskers. We have a lot to replace from last year, but I feel like we can do it, Kendig said. We have 12 girls who are competing on bars right now, so we will have numbers to pick from. I truly believe the cream will rise to the top, and we will have six great ones to pick from. I don t think it will be the same six every week, but I like that because it creates competition. Kendig said at the end of the day his lineup of six will come from the girls who can hit their handstands and stick their landings. Event Preview: Beam - 2 All-Americans: DeZiel, Wong - All-Big Ten 2013: Lauer, Wong After finishing last season on a strong note on beam, the Huskers look to build off a solid year. Nebraska returns two All-Americans in DeZiel and Wong, who both earned secondteam honors on beam last season. Jennifer Lauer is coming off an impressive sophomore campaign on the event and will be looking to build on her momentum this season. Other gymnasts who will be solid contributors on beam include Schleppenbach, Amanda Lauer and redshirt freshman Beck. Assistant coach Heather Brink wants the Huskers to have confidence and believe in themselves as they approach the event. She says consistency and confidence are going to be the key factors when putting together a lineup. We have a lot of talent this year on the beam team, which only helps to raise the bar to make the lineup, Brink said. We have to be able to handle the pressure in competition, whether we compete beam first or last. Beam rotation in competition can swing momentum either way, and so we have to put together six solid beam routines that are near perfection. Hollie Blanske Event Preview: Floor -All-American: DeZiel, Wong -All Big Ten 2013: DeZiel, Wong One event the Huskers are most excited about in 2014 is the floor exercise. Nebraska will be returning one of the nation s top floor performers in Wong, as she placed third overall at the NCAA Championships in 2013. She added six titles, including the Big Ten title with a career-high score of 9.975. Joining Wong is first-team All-American DeZiel, who captured three titles of her own last season and is known for her powerful and consistent floor performances. Assistant coach Dan Miller noted that every gymnast on the squad has a floor routine, while several Huskers will feature new routines this season. Blanske, Stephens and Jennifer Lauer will contribute steady performances on the event. Freshmen Laeng and Lambert will look to round out the Husker lineup. Where we are right now in comparison to where we were last year, I believe we are in better shape and the girls feel that way as well, Miller said. They have been working harder and harder everyday. They are building up their confidence as well as their tumbling, which means the second half of the season will be exciting when their bigger tumbling goes into the routines. HUSKERS.COM 9
GUIDE TO WOMEN S GYMNASTICS General Six gymnasts from each team compete on each of the four events. The team score is obtained by adding the five highest scores on each event. Common deductions are landing deductions. One tenth is taken away for each step that the gymnast takes, while half a tenth is taken for a small hop, and two tenths are deducted for a large hop, step or jump. Other deductions include bent arms, legs, toes or leg separation. Falls that occur are deducted five tenths each time. Finally, a gymnast can receive a neutral deduction on balance beam and floor exercise. Neutral deductions are one tenth; and are received for being over time on beam and floor, and for stepping out of bounds on the floor exercise. They occur each time a gymnast violates these rules. Each event, with the exception of vault, has a series of four (bars), five (beam) and four (floor) special requirements (SRs), and omission of any of these requirements results in a two tenths deduction from the start value. Start Values Start value for college 9.5, extra.5 earned through bonus All judges determine start value It is not mandatory that the start values agree Bonus Special Connections Achieved through unique and difficult combinations Special connections have a value of 0.10 or 0.20. Bonus points for special connections will be awarded only for good technical presentation Vault Vault requires speed, quickness and explosive power. Unlike the other events, each vault has its own start value. Deductions are taken from the start value for technical errors in the pre-flight (approach), the block (the rise from the horse), the post-flight (height and distance from the horse) and the landing. Each gymnast will perform only one vault, but has a maximum of three attempts to go over the vault table one time. Special Requirements Must touch the vault table with both hands Must land on feet first Uneven Bars A bars routine must contain at least two bar changes for the first two SRs. A bar change is when the gymnast moves from the high bar to the low bar or vice versa. It must also contain two release moves. A release move is defined as when the gymnast lets go of the bar with both hands and flips or twists and regrasps either bar. Uneven bar routines must contain change of direction that is at least 180 degrees or more for the fourth SR. The final SR is a dismount. A bar routine must contain at least 10 skills. Special Requirements At least two bar changes Two flight elements (minimum of two different "C" elements or a "D" and "B") One element with LA (longitudinal axis) turn, minimum of "C" A C dismount Additional "D/E" A maximum of 0.40 may be awarded as bonus points for additional "D/E" Additional "D" elements will receive 0.10 bonus points Additional "E" elements will receive 0.20 bonus points Balance Beam The Huskers work to move on the beam like they would when performing on the floor. Their goal is to have routines that set them apart from other teams in the country. The beam is 16 feet long, four feet high and four inches wide. Performing on the beam requires precise movement and intense concentration. A beam routine cannot be more than 90 seconds. The first SR a beam routine must contain is a tumbling series. It must also contain a dance series of two leaps and/or jumps, one of which must have a value of C or higher. The gymnast must complete a turn of at least 360 degrees for the third SR. The fourth SR is a leap with large amplitude, which may be part of the dance series or on its own. Finally, the gymnast must dismount the beam as the final SR. Special Requirements One acro series with a minimum of two flight elements (both must start and finish on the beam; one element must be a "C" with or without hand support) One dance series of two or more elements (one element at least "C" or higher) Minimum of 360 degree turn no hand support permitted One leap, jump or hop requiring a 180 degree split (front or side) C dismount or B dismount preceded by and directly connected to any C element (acro/dance) Floor Exercise Floor exercise is a combination of dance and tumbling to music on a 12 meter by 12 meter space. The duration of a floor routine should be between 70 and 90 seconds. A floor routine must contain at least two tumbling passes (first SR), one of which contains two saltos (second SR). It must also contain three different saltos within the two tumbling passes (third SR). The final SR is that the routine contains a dismount commensurate with the rest of the routine. Special Requirements One tumbling series with two saltos, same or different Three different saltos within the exercise Dance series with a minimum of two elements (one "C" element or higher) Minimum of "C" salto as the last salto or in the last connection of saltos Jamie Schleppenbach 10 NEBRASKA WOMEN S GYMNASTICS 2014