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Norman, Okla. - Nebraska freshman Grant Perdue became Nebraska's 47th All-American in men's gymnastics since 1975 on Saturday night, posting a 15.40 on floor exericise to finish fourth at the NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championships. Perdue's honor is also Nebraska's 174th All-America award since 1975. The native of Sugar Land, Texas earned a 15.40 on the event for the third time this weekend, a Nebraska program record on floor exercise.
Perdue's honor gives Nebraska its first All-American on floor exercise since 1999 (Jason Hardabura) and NU's first All-America honors since 2010 (Anthony Ingrelli, SR). Perdue is also the first freshman at Nebraska to earn All-America status since 2005 (Stephen Tétrault, V).
The night's competition was split into two flights, with floor exercise, still rings and pommel horse running in the first flight. Perdue was slated to compete last of the ten competitors on floor exercise. With the two lowest marks of the evening at 14.90 and 14.50, Perdue took to floor knowing he would have to top those two scores to earn All-America status.
The freshman overcame the pressure perfectly, sticking a clean routine and picking up a score of 15.40 for the third time this week to finish fourth overall and earn All-America honors in his first season of competition at Nebraska. Perdue's award gives head coach Chuck Chmelka his second All-American since taking the helm of the Nebraska program in 2010.
The Huskers finished the season with a ninth-place performance at the NCAA Championships, posting a team score of 340.550 on Thursday afternoon in Norman. Perdue was the lone Husker to qualify for event finals at the NCAAs after four NU competitors qualified for the event semifinals on Friday evening.
2012 NCAA Championships
Individual Event Finals
Lloyd Noble Arena
Norman, Okla.
Floor Exercise
1. Eddie Penev (Stanford): 16.100
2. Jake Dalton (Oklahoma): 15.950
3. Stacey Ervin (Michigan): 15.450
4. Grant Perdue (Nebraska): 15.400
5. Sean Senters (Stanford): 15.150
6. Paul Hichwa (Stanford): 15.050 (T)
6. Danny Steiner (Ohio State): 15.050 (T)
8. Parker Raque (Penn State): 14.950
9. Dylan Akers (Oklahoma): 14.900
10. Craig Hernandez (Penn State): 14.500
Top eight finishers earned All-America honors