Husker women place second at LA quadrangle

The No. 7 Nebraska women’s gymnastics team placed second in the Los Angeles quadrangle Saturday night, losing out to UCLA 197.050-196.650. Bridgeport and Sacramento State also participated in the meet but No. 9 UCLA provided the largest challenges to Husker gymnasts.

Nebraska won 2 events – uneven parallel bars and floor exercise. UCLA won the vault, beam and took the all-around honors. Even though UCLA led the meet through all rotations, Husker gymnasts turned in some high level performances. Sophomore Ashley Lambert earned a career-high 9.95 on floor exercise to tie for the event title. She also would collect Big Ten Event Specialist of the Week honors.

Ashley Lambert www.gym-style.com

Senior Desire’ Stephens earned a 9.90 on vault for the Big Red. Senior Jessie DeZiel had the Huskers best bars score with her season-high 9.90. On beam, senior Jennifer Lauer’s routine earned a 9.90 for NU. In the all-around competition, UCLA’s Sam Peszek won the all-around crown with an amazing 39.625. Husker freshman Grace Williams had the highest all-around total for NU with a 39.250.

Nebraska began competition on bars posting a team total of 49.025. Jessie DeZiel led the Huskers with her season high-tying 9.90! UCLA gymnasts scored a 49.30 on vault led by graduate student Jordan Williams’ 9.95. Sacramento State earned a 48.25 on beam and Bridgeport posted a 48.625 on floor. The Bruins landed in first place after the first rotation with the Huskers close behind in second.

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In the 2nd rotation, NU moved to beam. Husker Jennifer Lauer led the squad for the second week in a row. Her 9.90 routine was the best for Nebraska who scored a total 48.925 in the event. UCLA gymnasts performing on the bars had some bobbled landings. Bruin Peng-Peng Lee won the event with a near-perfect 9.95. UCLA posted a score of 49.00 on bars and maintained the lead after two rotations. The Huskers were a strong second, while Bridgeport and Sacramento State stayed in third and fourth respectively.

The third rotation sent Big Red to floor exercise where Huskers scored a season-best 49.475.

Husker Sophomore Ashley Lambert was nearly flawless with a 9.95 score. UCLA posted the highest beam score of the meet with a 49.525 total. Bruin Peng-Peng Lee had the highest event score of 9.975 with her beam routine. UCLA widened the lead a bit after three rotations 147.825-147.365. Bridgeport remained in third as Sacramento State continued in fourth place.

Nebraska moved to the final rotation of the meet on vault. This has proven to be their best event this season and earned them the No.1 ranking in the country for a couple of weeks. They collected a team total score of 49.225. Senior Desire’ Stephens led the Huskers with her 9.90 mark. UCLA moved to floor exercise where they collected 49.225 on the event. Bruin Danusia Francis scored a near perfect 9.95 with her routine.

Huskers put together a meet total of 196.650, but the Bruins took the meet crown with 197.050. Sacramento State finished third with a 194.150 score and Bridgeport earned a 192.575. Husker Grace Williams place second in the All-Around and earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors as well.

Huskers will host the 27th annual Masters Classic next weekend, welcoming San Jose State and No. 13 Illinois. The Sunday afternoon March 1st meet begins at 2 p.m.(CT) at the Devaney Sports Center. Stay tuned for further updates and as always, GO BIG RED!!!