NU Wins Two Event Titles in Meet with Iowa

Lincoln, Neb. — The Nebraska women’s gymnastics team, (1-6, 1-5 Big Ten) despite several strong performances, fell to No. 7 Iowa on Saturday evening. Nebraska won two event titles, but ultimately lost the duel by a score of 195.850-195.100.

Senior Anika Dujakovich tied her career-high on 9.95 on vault, which won her the event title, while fellow senior Kynsee Roby posted a 9.85 on bars, winning her the event title.

Rotation One

The Huskers’ vault team put NU firmly in the lead with a season-high team score on the apparatus. Dujakovich tied her career-high with a 9.95 on vault, which won her the event title. Junior Kaitlyn Higgins recorded a career-high 9.80 in the first rotation, while sophomore Kylie Piringer put up a score of 9.775. Senior Makayla Curtis and freshman Martina Comin posted scores of 9.725 and 9.70 respectively. Freshman Danielle Press, due to a fall, was given a score of 9.275, which was not counted.

Iowa struggled in the first rotation on uneven bars, as the Hawkeyes were forced to record a fall. Clair Kaji led the way for Iowa with a 9.825 as NU took a 48.950-48.250 lead heading into the second rotation.

Rotation Two

Nebraska kept its momentum going into the second rotation, as the Huskers posted their best team score of the season on uneven bars. NU hit all six routines, including a 9.85 from Roby, which won her the event title. Lorange, sophomore Clara Colombo and freshman Kinsey Davis all recorded 9.825s, while sophomore Kathryn Thaler picked up a 9.775. Piringer hit her routine for a score of 9.70, which was not counted. NU recorded a team score of 49.100 in the second rotation.

Iowa recovered from its first rotation with strong performances on vault. Lauren Guerin led the Hawkeyes with a score of 9.875, as four Iowa gymnasts posted scores of 9.80 or higher. Nebraska led Iowa by a score of 98.050-97.375 following the second rotation.

Rotation Three

Nebraska’s beam team held onto the Huskers’ lead with strong routines in the third rotation. Lorange and Higgins posted scores of 9.85 for NU, while Roby continued her string of impressive performances on beam this season with a 9.825. Thaler recorded a score of 9.625 while Colombo made her collegiate debut on beam with a 9.55. Curtis, due to a fall, picked up a score of 9.05, which was not counted.

Iowa inched closer to Nebraska with five hit routines on floor in the third rotation. Kaji and Jerquavia Henderson both finished their routines for scores of 9.925, and the Hawkeyes trailed NU by a score of 146.750-196.675 heading into the final rotation.

Rotation Four

The Huskers were forced to perform only five gymnasts on floor, due to an injury sustained by Press during the warm up period prior to the final rotation. Higgins and Piringer posted impressive scores of 9.875. Curtis picked up a score of 9.85, while Lorange finished her evening with a 9.65 on floor. Due to a fall, Dujakovich recorded a score of 9.10.

Iowa closed out the meet on beam and took the win by a score of 195.850-195.100. Adeline Kenlin took the event title with a 9.95 after strong performance on beam.

Up Next

Nebraska heads to College Park, Md. to take part in the 2021 Big Five meet. NU takes on Ohio State, Minnesota, Illinois and Maryland on Friday, Feb. 26 at 4 p.m.