Huskers Surpass Several Career-Highs at Big Tens

Minneapolis, Minn. — The Nebraska women’s gymnastics team surpassed or tied five career-highs at the Big Ten Championships on Saturday, March 20. Nebraska finished the event with a team score of 195.175.

NU was led by a strong score by junior Kaitlyn Higgins on balance beam, who tied her career-high with a stellar routine for a 9.90 and senior Anika Dujakovich, who led the first session of the championships with a 9.90 on vault. 

Rotation One

Nebraska opened the Big Ten Championships on a bye. Rutgers took an early lead, with a team score of 48.950 on vault, led by Emily Leese’s score of 9.85. Ohio State followed closely behind with a team score of 48.900 on floor, highlighted by a 9.875 from Claire Gagliardi. Maryland sat in third at 48.875 while Penn State finished the first rotation with a score of 48.600.

Rotation Two

The Huskers opened their afternoon in the second rotation on uneven bars. NU was forced to count a score of 9.275 as four gymnasts hit their routines. Freshman Kinsey Davis and sophomore Clara Colombo led Nebraska with scores of 9.825, while freshman Chloe Lorange recorded a score of 9.775. Sophomore Kylie Piringer picked up a score of 9.725, as NU finished the second rotation with a team score of 48.425.  

Ohio State took the lead after with a score of 97.875, followed by Penn State in second at a 97.425. Maryland sat in third with a score of 97.400. Rutgers spent the second rotation on a bye.

Rotation Three

NU’s beam team picked up the pace for NU, posting a team score of 48.975. Kaitlyn Higgins tied her career-high of 9.90 on the apparatus, leading Nebraska in the rotation. Davis followed closely behind with a 9.825, while junior Kynsee Roby recorded a score of 9.775. Lorange picked up a score of 9.75, while Kathryn Thaler was given a score of 9.725. Makayla Curtis, due to a fall, recorded a score of 9.00 due to a fall.

The table following the third rotation featured Penn State and Maryland tied for first with scores of 146.425. The rest of the field had only competed in two events up to this point, with Ohio State in third, Rutgers in fourth and NU in fifth.

Rotation Four

Nebraska continued their afternoon on floor exercise in the fourth rotation. Kylie Piringer led the way for NU with a score of 9.85, while senior Anika Dujakovich posted a score of 9.75. Kaitlyn Higgins received a score of 9.70, while Danielle Press picked up a score of 9.675. Curtis recorded a score of 9.575 and Chloe Lorange was given a score of 9.475, which was not counted.

Rotation Five

NU finished its afternoon on vault in the fifth and final rotation. Nebraska’s vault squad performed well, tying the best team score of the afternoon session at a 49.225. Dujakovich set the tone for the Huskers, with a 9.90 on vault, followed closely by Makayla Curtis, who set a career-high of 9.875. Davis and Piringer both picked up scores of 9.825, with Piringer tying her career-high, as Higgins also tied her career best on vault with a 9.80. Danielle Press’ score of 9.725 was not counted. 

Rutgers finished the first session in first with a score of 195.675, followed by Maryland with a team score of 196.625. Penn State ended the first session in third with a 195.475, Ohio State finished in fourth with a 195.225, followed by NU at 195.175. 

Minnesota won the Big Ten Championships following the second session. Michigan placed second, while Illinois and Iowa tied for fourth. Rutgers finished in fifth, Maryland in sixth and Penn State ended their night in seventh place. OSU and Nebraska rounded out the field.