Huskers Open Season Against Michigan

Lincoln -- The Nebraska women's gymnastics team will kick off its home season this weekend when it plays host to Michigan at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Sunday, Jan. 11 at 2 p.m. The Huskers who finished the 2003 season with a 27-4 record and a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Super Six Finals, are currently ranked eighth in the preseason poll and are looking to move up in the rankings.

After enjoying one of the most successful seasons in school history, the Nebraska women's gymnastics team will have a different look in 2004. The Huskers return only six of their 11 letterwinners from 2003 and four of their eight All-Americans, including Gina Bruce, Tami Harris, Libby Landgraf and Richelle Simpson. Joining the returnees is one of the nation's top recruiting classes in Stephanie Carter, Kristi Esposito, Natasha Gowda, Danielle Millis, Kylie Tanner and Michele Zabawa. The six newcomers bring extensive national-caliber experience, as Gowda finished ninth in the 2003 Canadian National Championships, while Esposito and Zabawa are both former Junior Olympic team members.

Scouting the Wolverines
The Huskers first test of the season comes against Michigan, who finished in fifth at the NCAA Super Six Finals behind Nebraska in 2004. The Wolverines are currently ranked fifth in the preseason poll and return six All-Americans. They also regain the services of co-captain senior Elise Ray. Ray, the 2002 NCAA balance beam champion and 2001 NCAA all-around co-champion, is expected to return to form in 2004 after battling injuries during the 2003 season.

Calli Ryals, a 2003 NCAA first-team All-American in the all-around and on the floor exercise, returns to the Wolverines' lineup. In addition, sophomore Jenny Deiley, a 2003 NCAA All-American in the all-around, will also be looked upon to help lead the Wolverines.

In addition to Michigan's 'Big Three,' sophomore Becca Clauson, who was a first-team All-American on the balance beam in 2003 and newcomer Lindsey Buck are expected to also contribute. The Wolverines will also employ the help of their veterans including juniors Chelsea Kroll, Lauren Mirkovich and Kara Rosella and senior Christine Mantilia. Michigan welcomes three other freshmen to their team including Clare Flannery, Carol McNamara and Sarrie Rubin.

2004 Season Outlook
NU is coming off a 27-4 record, winning Big 12 and West Regional titles last year. The Huskers finished in fourth place at the NCAA Super Six Finals, tying their best finish in school history since 2000. The Huskers set numerous team, school and individual records during the course of the season. They were also ranked in the top five all season and attained a No. 2 ranking, which was the highest in school history.

Individually, Simpson won the NCAA all-around and floor exercise titles, while capturing Big 12 and South Central Regional Gymnast-of-the-Year honors. Simpson was the only Husker in school history to capture first-team All-America honors in all five events.

With a relatively experienced team this year, the key for the Huskers will be gaining confidence early on by performing well.

"It comes down to getting that confidence level up and hitting routines," Kendig said. "Like any other year, the most important factor is to stay healthy."

The Huskers also know how difficult winning the national championship can be. In the 21-year history of the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championship, only four teams, Alabama, Georgia, UCLA and Utah, have ever taken home the crown. The defending 2003 champions, UCLA, will be the host of the 2004 NCAA Championships in Los Angeles, Calif.

NU will once again have a tough road leading up to the postseason. The Huskers open the season with NCAA fifth-place finisher Michigan at home. NU's schedule is highlighted by Utah in Salt Lake City, Florida and Arizona State at the Master's Classic along with road trips to Oklahoma and Iowa State. Nebraska will also face Missouri, Ohio State, Denver and Minnesota.

The quest for NU's first national title starts with the 2004 seniors Bruce, Byrd, Harris, Landgraf and Simpson.

Combined, the senior class has won 15 NCAA All-America honors and is looking to build upon the success of last year's fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships.

"We have a very experienced group of seniors, who are all going to play important leadership roles this season," Kendig said.

Simpson will look for even bigger things in 2004 after an outstanding season last year. The native of Toronto, Ontario was the NCAA all-around champion and floor exercise champion in 2003. She was the second Husker to win the national all-around title in the program's history following Heather Brink, who was the 2000 national champion. Simpson became NU's third individual event national champion and first on the floor exercise, joining Michele Bryant and Heather Brink, who won individual vault titles in 1990 and 2000, respectively.

Simpson captured first-team All-America honors on the vault, uneven bars, balance beam, floor exercise and the all-around, finishing fourth on vault, ninth on the uneven bars, second on the balance beam and first on the floor exercise at the NCAA Event Finals.

"Richelle has really great form and works really hard at it," Kendig said. "She knows what she has to work on, and she works on the little things, which pays off big for her."

Landgraf returns to the Husker rotation in all four events. She earned second-team All-America honors last season on the uneven bars, floor exercise and all-around. She is a four-time All-American, capturing second-team honors in both her sophomore and junior years.

"Libby has been the quiet force throughout her whole career, but I think in some ways this is going to be a breakout year for her," Kendig said. "She is doing great on all four events, and I think she will go out there and put together a great season for us."

A first-team All-American on vault in 2001 and 2003, Bruce returns to solidify NU's vault lineup. She garnered first-team All-America honors on the vault, finishing ninth at the NCAA Event Finals last season. Look for Bruce to contribute more on other events in 2004.

"Gina has worked hard over the off-season. She is a returning first-team All-American on vault," Kendig said. "With her leadership as a senior, she is going to be a contributor to the team's success again this year."

Harris heads into her senior campaign looking to build on NU's success last year. Harris leads the Huskers on bars and vault. She was a second-team All-American on the vault and floor exercise in 2003. She also won five uneven bars titles with a season-high of 9.95.

"Now that she is a senior, I think Tami will set an example for the younger girls. She has the potential to contribute on all four events," Kendig said. "It is great to have her finish her career here and be a big part of our program to the end."

Byrd solidifies the lineup on the uneven bars, the balance beam and floor exercise for the Huskers. She has the ability to compete in the all-around for the Huskers in 2004.

"Tiffany is a seasoned veteran and she knows how to compete in the big meets, Kendig said."

Although injuries limited her last season, Byrd is healthier and will be looking to make a statement for the Huskers in 2004.

Jamie Saas will continue to be a solid performer for the Huskers on the balance beam. Saas had a phenomenal 2003 season, as she anchored the Huskers on the beam. She set a new career-high on the beam with a 9.95 in the event against Iowa State. As she heads into her junior campaign, Saas will also be looking to help out in other events.

"Jamie has competed on beam for us the first two years of her career, but this year I believe she has the potential to also do floor and vault for us," Kendig said. "She is working hard and putting together the foundation for a great vault."

The six newcomers include Gowda, who competed in the Canadian National Championships. The NU squad also will feature two former Junior Olympic members, Esposito and Zabawa. Add in Tanner, who was a member of the Australian National Team, and the Huskers are adding plenty of depth to their lineup in 2004.

"We are very fortunate to have some talented newcomers on our team, and I look forward to seeing what they will bring to our team dynamics," Kendig said.

Carter, a Pennsylvania native, is a former international elite gymnast.

"We will look to her to help us on vault and beam, and we are excited to have her here," Kendig said.

Esposito was a three-time Junior Olympic national team member, who finished second in the all-around in 2000 and won the uneven bars competition in 2001.

"She is a hard-worker, who has the ability to help us on all four events," Kendig said.

Gowda competed as an Elite Level gymnast for five years at Flicka Gymnastics. She finished ninth in the all-around at the 2003 Canadian National Championships.

"Tasha is the newest Canadian on the team, and she has experience competing in big meets," Kendig said.

Millis, a Texas native, has the potential to help the Huskers on vault and floor.

"I think she will provide depth in those events," Kendig said. "She works very hard, and I can see her contributing in those areas."

Tanner is orginially from Brisbane, Australia where she was a member of the Australia National Team, bringing international experience and talent to the Huskers.

"She has been a former national team competitor for Australia and comes to us with a quite a bit of experience," Kendig said.

Zabawa is a two-time Region IV All-Around champion and placed 19th at the Junior Olympic Nationals in 2001.

"She has good skills on all four events, and we are very excited about her possibilities are for us this year," Kendig said.