Huskers Honored by Big Ten Conference

Chicago — Four Nebraska women’s gymnasts were honored by the Big Ten for their athletic achievements during the 2020 season, announced by the conference on Thursday. Seniors Taylor Houchin and Sierra Hassel, along with sophomore Adnerys De Jesus were honored as first-team All-Big Ten selections, while freshman Kylie Piringer earned second-team All-Big Ten honors. Hassel was also honored as a Big Ten Sportsmanship Honoree.

Houchin led the Huskers by example during her senior season. She recorded 13 scores of 9.90 or higher in 2020 and was one of the nation’s best gymnasts on vault.  She recorded a National Qualifying Score (NQS) of 9.93 on vault with a high of 9.975 on vault. Her NQS was the third-highest in the nation and the highest in the Big Ten Conference. She also won 15 event titles in 2020. Houchin was named the WCGA Region 4 Gymnast of the Year and also earned WCGA first-team All-America honors on vault in 2020. This is Houchin’s third career All-Big Ten honor and her second first-team selection.

Hassel finished her career as one of Nebraska’s most consistent performers. Throughout her time as a Husker, Hassel has led the Huskers on balance beam and floor exercise. She finished the season as the 18th-highest ranked gymnast on floor exercise with an individual NQS of 9.915. She was also the second-highest ranked gymnast on floor in the Big Ten Conference. Hassel received Big Ten Event Specialist of the Week honors twice during the 2020 season. This is the second All-Big Ten honor for Hassel.

Piringer made an immediate impact for the Huskers during her freshman season. She added depth on vault and uneven bars, but her signature event in 2020 was floor exercise. She recorded three scores of 9.90 on floor exercise during her freshman campaign and finished the season ranked No. 10 the Big Ten on the event with an NQS of 9.875. This is Piringer’s first All-Big Ten honor.

The conference also announced that seven Husker gymnasts earned Academic All-Big Ten honors. The list features both of Nebraska’s seniors, Hassel and Houchin, who have each earned Academic All-Big Ten honors three times. Juniors Anika Dujakovich and Megan Verceles Carr and sophomores Kynsee Roby, Kaylee Quinn and Abby Johnston also earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.

To be eligible for Academic All-Big Ten selection, students must be on a varsity team, as verified by being on the official squad list as of March 1 for winter sports, who have been enrolled full time at the institution for a minimum of 12 months and carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.

 

FIRST TEAM ALL-BIG TEN

Mia Takekawa, ILL

Lauren Guerin, IOWA

Abby Brenner, MICH

Sierra Brooks, MICH

Gabby Wilson, MICH

Natalie Wojcik, MICH

Lea Mitchell, MSU

Ona Loper, MINN

Ivy Lu, MINN

Lexy Ramler, MINN

Tiarre Sales, MINN

Sierra Hassel, NEB

Taylor Houchin, NEB

Adnerys De Jesus, NEB

Lauren Bridgens, PSU

Hannah Joyner, RU

 

SECOND TEAM ALL-BIG TEN

Karen Howell, ILL

Shaylah Scott, ILL

Arayah Simons, ILL

Reese McClure, MD

Tiara Wright, MD

Lexi Funk, MICH

Gabriella Douglas, MSU

Maddie Quarles, MINN

Kylie Piringer, NEB

Olivia Aepli, OSU

Claire Gagliardi, OSU

Colby Miller, OSU

Cassidy Rushlow, PSU

Kaitlyn Hall, RU

 

BIG TEN SPORTSMANSHIP HONOREES

Nicole Biondi, ILL

Erin Castle, IOWA

Emma Silberman, MD

Lexi Funk, MICH

Alaina Raybon, MSU

Mary Korlin-Downs, MINN

Sierra Hassel, NEB

Olivia Aepli, OSU

Dymiana Cox, PSU

Kaitlyn Hall, RU

 

Nebraska Women’s Gymnastics Academic All-Big Ten Selections

Anika Dujakovich** (Junior — Lenexa, Kan.; Biological Sciences)

Sierra Hassel*** (Senior — Johnston, Iowa; Accounting)

Taylor Houchin*** (Senior — Republic, Mo.; English)

Abby Johnston* (Sophomore — Parkland, Fla.; Nutrition & Health Sciences)

Kaylee Quinn* (Sophomore — Rockaway, N.J.; Nutrition & Health Sciences)

Kynsee Roby** (Junior — Gardner, Kan.; Nutrition & Health Sciences)

Megan Verceles Carr* (Junior — Monte Soreno, Calif.; Advertising & Public Relations)

* indicates number of years named to Academic All-Big Ten team

Years reflect academic eligibility