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Lincoln -- The Nebraska women’s gymnastics team was ranked eighth in the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches preseason poll released Wednesday.
The defending national champion, UCLA, is ranked first, receiving 27 first place votes. Georgia and Alabama are ranked second (8) and third (1), respectively, while Utah and Michigan round out the top five at fourth and fifth, receiving one first-place vote apiece.
The Huskers will take on fifth-ranked Michigan in their season opener on Jan. 11 and travel to fourth-ranked Utah on Jan. 16. They will also play host to seventh-ranked Florida and ninth-ranked Arizona State at the Masters Classic on Feb. 29. In addition, the Huskers will face off against six other teams in the preseason top 20, including Oklahoma, Iowa State, Denver, Minnesota, Ohio State and Missouri.
"I am not surprised about our preseason ranking, it is where we belong right now," Kendig said. "I think there was a lot of uncertainty about our team after we lost our seniors from last year, but I think we are going to surprise everybody this season. We have some good, young talent this year."
Nebraska returns 2003 NCAA all-around and floor exercise champion Richelle Simpson and All-Americans Gina Bruce and Libby Landgraf, along with senior Tiffany Byrd and junior Jamie Saas. The Huskers finished the 2003 season with a 27-4 record and reached the Super Six Finals for the seventh time in eight years. In addition, the Huskers welcome newcomers Stephanie Carter, Kristi Esposito, Natasha Gowda, Danielle Millis and Michele Zabawa.
The Huskers have made five straight NCAA Super Six Finals, while Kendig’s gymnasts have produced 64 All-America awards, including 2000 NCAA All-Around champion Heather Brink and 2003 NCAA All-Around champion Richelle Simpson. Nebraska has won nine conference championships during Kendig’s 10 years at the helm of the Husker program.
Nebraska opens its 2004 schedule on Sunday, Jan. 11, when the Huskers host No. 5 Michigan at the Bob Devaney Sports Center at 2 p.m.