Huskers Claim Third Place in Gainesville

The No. 23 Nebraska women’s gymnastics team scored a 195.600 to take third in a quad meet with preseason No. 3 Florida, No. 3 Michigan State and Northern Illinois in Gainesville, Fla. on Friday evening.

Emma Spence (T-fifth, 39.300), Whitney Jencks (seventh, 39.250) and Sophia McClelland (eighth, 39.050) competed for the Huskers in the all-around.

No. 3 Florida, who was No. 3 in the preseason rankings and opened its season at Friday’s quad meet, finished first with a 196.675. No. 3 Michigan State followed with a 196.650, NU took place with a 195.600 and NIU took fourth with a 191.950.

Rotation One
The Huskers opened the night on beam, scoring 49.175 as a team. Sophia McClelland led the way with a 9.875, followed by Emma Spence and Emma Simpton with a 9.850. Nya Kraus scored a 9.825, and Whitney Jencks (9.775) and Isabel Sikon (9.75) finished out the rotation.

Rotation Two
NU continued the event on floor with a team score of 48.650. Jencks earned a 9.825, followed by McClelland with a 9.775, and Spence and Kraus both notched a 9.750. Halle Rourke (9.550) and Simpton (9.450) rounded the lineup.

Rotation Three
Nebraska scored a 48.825 on vault, with Ayzhia Hall leading the way, scoring a 9.825. Spence and Jencks both notched a 9.800. Sikon (9.775), Katie Kuenemann (9.625) and McClelland (9.600) finished the rotation.

Rotation Four
The Big Red concluded the evening on bars, recording a 48.950 as a team. Spence led the way with a 9.900 and Jencks followed with a career-high 9.850. McClelland scored a 9.800, with Simpton (9.725) and Sikon with a career-high (9.675) right behind her. Emalee Frost finished the evening for Nebraska with a 9.350.

Up Next
The Huskers will travel to Champaign, Illinois on Saturday, Jan. 18 for a Big Ten matchup with Illinois. The meet is slated to start at 1 p.m. (CT).