Huskers Notch Season-Best Score at Big Fives

Lincoln, Neb. – The Nebraska women’s gymnastics team notched a season-best team score of 196.925, finishing in second in the Big Five meet. 

No. 19 Michigan State claimed a first-place finish with a team score of 197.675. The Huskers outscored No. 13 Ohio State (196.750), No. 18 Minnesota (195.800) and Rutgers (195.225) to finish in second. 

The Big Red set numerous season-best scores including the best team scores on vault, uneven bars and floor. Individually, seven Huskers combined to set 11 new career-high scores. 

Sophomore Emma Spence shined as she claimed the uneven bars title with a 9.900 and finished tied for second in the all-around with a 39.550.

Rotation One

The Huskers started the afternoon on balance beam, earning a team score of 49.075. Sophia McClelland led with a 9.875 followed by a 9.850 from Emma Simpton. Emma Spence tallied a 9.825 while Allie Gard earned a 9.775. Ayzhia Hall added a 9.750 and Clara Colombo rounded out the rotation with a 9.725. 

Michigan State’s Giana Kalefe tallied a 9.925 on balance beam to claim the individual title. 

Rotation Two

Nebraska had a bye during rotation two. 

Rotation Three

NU tallied their best floor score of the season with a score of 49.350 during rotation three. Halle Rorke (9.875), McClelland (9.900) and Spence (9.900) all matched personal bests on the event. Kylie Piringer added a 9.850 while Martina Comin notched a 9.825. Katie Kuenemann finished with a 9.800. 

Gabrielle Stephen and Nikki Smith from Michigan State both earned a 9.950, enough for the event title. 

Rotation Four 

The Big Red followed it up with another season-best score of 49.375 on vault. All six gymnasts recorded season-best personal scores as well. Spence led with a 9.925 while Kinsey Davis notched a 9.900. Comin earned a 9.875 and Hall tallied a 9.850. Kuenemann finished with a 9.825 while McClelland rounded out the rotation with a 9.775. 

Minnesota’s Maddie Quarles claimed the title on vault, tallying a perfect 10.0 on the event. 

Rotation Five

Nebraska finished the meet on uneven bars, matching a season-best score of 49.125. Spence led the Big Red with a 9.900, claiming the event title. Colombo followed with a season-best 9.875 while Gibson notched a career-best 9.825. Simpton added a season-best of her own with a 9.775 while Davis earned a 9.750. McClelland finished with a 9.050 due to a fall. 

Tiarre Sales from Minnesota shared the event title on uneven bars with Spence, matching her 9.900. 

All-Around

Spence finished tied for second in the all-around with a career-best 39.550. McClelland earned a 38.600, finishing in 10th. 

Stephen of Michigan State claimed the all-around title with a score of 39.575. 

Up Next 

The Huskers return to action Monday, Feb. 27 when they host No. 3 Michigan in a dual meet. It is start to begin at 6 p.m. (CT). The meet 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 meet.