Huskers Close 2015 at NCAA Championships

Though the Nebraska men’s gymnastics team battled illnesses and injuries, the Huskers competed at the 2015 NCAA Championships.

Despite the trials the team faced, Coach Chuck Chmelka said his team fought hard and never gave up. The camaraderie and team effort the Huskers showed all season long, Chmelka said, allowed newcomers to step into some major roles as veterans guided their steps.

“We had numerous individual career highs and earned our best hitting percentage in program history,” Chmelka said. “Despite the speed bumps along the way, overall we had an outstanding season.”

At the NCAA Championships in Norman, Okla., Chmelka guided the Huskers to their 13th straight postseason appearance.

Junior Ethan Lottman led the Big Red in the championship field as he took home his first All-America honors on pommel horse, the first Husker to do so on an individual event since 2013. The Omaha, Neb., native scored a season high-tying 15.10 in the team preliminaries to qualify to the event semifinals the following day. Lottman continued to deliver and posted a score of 14.85 to tie for seventh place, solidifying his spot in the finals. On event finals day, Lottman swung to another quality routine to take fifth overall with a 14.45, earning his status as an All-American. In the classroom, Lottman captured the Elite 89 Award from the NCAA, which honors the student-athlete in each of the 89 NCAA sports with the highest grade-point average while actively participating in the championships.

“Ethan had a tremendous season,” Chmelka said. “From being an All-American, to winning the Elite 89 Award and our very own Hartung Award, he really excelled at the right time. We are fortunate to have him for one more season.”

In addition to Lottman, four other Huskers earned their way to the NCAA event semifinals on the second night of competition, the second most to represent Nebraska in the Chmelka era. Sophomore Travis Gollott earned a berth into the all-around finals on the second night after competing as an all-arounder in only two previous meets. In the finals, Gollott finished 14th overall with a career-high 84.700, one of his four career-best scores of the night.

Senior Louis Klein finished out his collegiate career in the high bar semifinals with a 14.80 to tie for 11th, just one place shy of earning a berth into the event finals. Junior All-American Sam Chamberlain took to the semifinal competition on parallel bars, tying for 20th with a score of 14.35. Sophomore newcomer Chris Stephenson saw action in the floor semifinals, where he posted a 15.05 for 20th overall.

Freshman Kyle King qualified for the event semifinals on vault, earning a respectable 14.80 mark to tie for 18th place.

King also made strides at the conference level during the 2015 Big Ten Championships in State College, Pa., where he punched his ticket to the vault and floor event finals. Despite suffering a fall in the floor finals, King excelled in the vault competition to tie for third with a personal-best 15.10, earning him the first Big Ten medal of his career.

“Kyle is a seasoned athlete beyond his age,” Chmelka said. “He did so well for us this season and already has a bright future ahead of him.”

In addition to King, a program-record four Huskers qualified for the individual event finals on the second night of the Big Ten Championships and provided leadership throughout the season. Senior Andrew House qualified for his first-ever championship finals on pommel horse, where he scored a 14.425 to finish in eighth place on the event. The Houston, Texas, native proved to be one of NU’s most consistent competitors all season long, steadily delivering quality performances on pommel and floor.

“Andy truly is an inspiration to many,” Chmelka said. “After sitting out for two straight years with knee injuries and to come back for two years the way he did can’t say enough about the dedication he had. His dependability will definitely be missed.”

Despite narrowly missing out on event finals at the NCAA Championships, Klein worked as a vital member of the team’s high bar, vault and parallel bars lineups. The Utica, Mich., native earned a season-high 15.00 at the NCAA preliminaries to punch his ticket to the event semifinals. Klein didn’t miss a single meet and scored a 14.00 or above four times.

“Louis is a great talent that we will sure miss,” Chmelka said. “He really matured and became an exceptional young man both in and out of the gym.”

Chamberlain continued to prove himself as one of Nebraska’s best parallel bars performers after setting the school record at home on March 15 with a 15.50. His success on the event led him to represent the Huskers as an event finalist at the Big Ten Championships, where he earned a 13.275 despite a fall. In vault finals, Chamberlain stuck a 14.95 for the second night in a row. As a three-event specialist, Chamberlain’s hard work kept him active in the lineups throughout the season.

“Sam has been instrumental to our program,” Chmelka said. “Though he was so close to being an All-American again, I can’t wait to see what next year has in store for him.”

Gollott trained hard to compete as an all-around competitor toward the end of the season, consistently delivering routines week after week. Gollott earned a spot in the floor finals at the Big Ten Championships, where he overcame a fall to garner a 13.875. Nebraska’s first all-around competitor since Wyatt Aycock in 2014, Gollott was a solid performer on every event for NU.

“Travis really matured as a gymnast this season,” Chmelka said. “There is still so much more in store for him in these next couple years.”

Classmate Stephenson made a big impact as a three-event specialist, consistently competing as a member of NU’s floor, parallel bars and high bars lineups. Stephenson’s consistency helped him become one of Nebraska’s most reliable members of the team in 2015. On floor, the Fishers, Ind., native competed in all but one regular-season meet and posted scores of 15.00 or better three times.

“Chris went from competing in only one meet last year to competing on multiple events every meet this year,” Chmelka said. “We are so happy he decided to be a part of our program.”

Fellow sophomore Austin Epperson maintained important positions in Nebraska’s rings and high bar lineups in 2015, stepping up as one of NU’s most valuable rings performers. He scored a 14.00 or better in all but one meet on the event, while also leading NU in the classroom and the community.

“Austin just keeps getting better,” Chmelka said. “If he continues to work hard and push himself, he will do some really great things.”

Junior Ryan Irick came back to a strong 2015 season after being plagued with injuries as a sophomore. He consistently put up scores on pommel horse and rings while also leading the Big Red in the classroom, being named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar after 2014.

“Ryan had a great year,” Chmelka said. “It was so good to see him out there competing for us again.”

 Freshman Daniel Leal had a breakout year in his first season with the Huskers, despite undergoing gallbladder surgery midway through the season. He competed in five out of the six events over the course of the season, with major contributions on rings and parallel bars.

“Daniel is another one who is mature for his age,” Chmelka said. “Even with his setback, he truly competed like a champion. The future is so bright for him.”

The rest of Nebraska’s 2015 lineups came from contributors across all classes. Seniors Josh Ungar (vault) and Robbie Kocks (rings) provided key leadership to the underclassmen in 2015 after suffering from illnesses and injuries during the season. The pair each competed in two meets to close out their successful Husker careers. Sophomore Coleman Tokar made great strides as a three-event specialist on floor, rings and high bar for the Huskers, delivering quality routines throughout.

Freshmen Connor Adamsick (vault), Brenon Sommers (rings) and Alex Magsam (rings, parallel bars) opened up their Husker careers with flare, together making up nearly a large portion of the lineups in 2015.

Senior Grant Perdue anticipated seeking All-America honors to add to his list in 2015, but his efforts were put on hold due to an ACL injury suffered in the second meet of the season. The Houston, Texas, native provided encouragement both in and out of the gym and will use a medical redshirt to return as a fifth-year senior in 2016.

“Losing Grant was unfortunate for us,” Chmelka said. “But we are sure glad we will have him back next year. He has been rehabbing like crazy, and I know he will come back as good as new for 2016.”

Though freshmen Sanjaya Roy, Josh Everitt and Andrew Zymball did not see any action in 2015, they spent their time training and improving their skills in hopes of making an appearance in the 2016 lineups.

The Huskers began the 2015 season at the Rocky Mountain Open in Colorado Springs, Colo., Jan. 11. The team came out of the gate strong to post a 420.150 after being edged by winner Oklahoma and second-place Air Force.

NU next traveled to Palo Alto, Calif., for a quadrangular featuring Oklahoma, California and host Stanford Jan. 24. After having to count falls on pommel horse and losing Perdue to injury, the Huskers finished fourth with a 418.050.

The team returned to Lincoln for the first home meet of the 2015 season against Army. NU rallied its way to victory after setting numerous career highs and finished on top with a 421.750. King was the floor champion, Lottman took the pommel horse crown, while Leal finished first on rings and parallel bars.

Nebraska then began a three-meet stretch on the road, first to a triangular featuring Minnesota and the University of Illinois-Chicago in Minneapolis, Minn. on Feb. 7. The Huskers saw success by capturing four of six event titles, as the team finished in second with a 422.050.

Continuing on the road, the team made its way to Iowa City, Iowa, for a Big Ten matchup against Minnesota and host Iowa on Feb. 14. Despite a tough pommel horse rotation, the Huskers finished strong to place third with a 420.250 team score.

As the team had a two-week break from NCAA competition, King went on to compete in the prestigious Winter Cup Challenge Feb. 19-21. By invitation only, King competed on vault, floor and parallel bars, finishing third on vault with a 15.10 the first day. His scores earned him a spot in the finals the following day, where he took ninth overall on vault with a combined two-day total of 29.95.

After another week off, the Huskers returned to competition on the road for a dual with Illinois in Champaign, Ill., on March 8. The team put together a series of seamless performances on floor to boost the team’s score, but fell just short to the Illini 436.700-423.450.

Nebraska rebounded at home after a long stint on the road to host Senior Night on March 15, welcoming Big Ten foes Iowa, Minnesota and Penn State. NU posted its best team score of the season with a 426.050, placing fourth overall. Nebraska honored seniors House, Klein, Kocks and Ungar for their contributions to the program, as Klein closed out the exciting night with a proposal to his girlfriend.

With a week of rest, Nebraska opened up the postseason at the Big Ten Championships in State College, Pa., March 27-28. The Huskers overcame some uncharacteristic mistakes to take seventh with a score of 420.100 in the team competition. Chamberlain, Gollott, House and King each punched their ticket to the event finals the following day, where King took the podium for third on vault with a 15.10. His performance earned him the first Big Ten medal of his career. House finished eighth on pommel horse with a 14.425, while Chamberlain took seventh on vault with a 14.95.

The Huskers brought the season to a close at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Norman, Okla., April 9-11. Five Huskers advanced to the all-around finals and event semifinals on the second night of competition. Lottman then moved on as the sole athlete for Nebraska to be represented in the event finals, where he took fifth on pommel horse with a 14.45 and earned his first All-America award.

    Though the Nebraska men’s gymnastics team battled illnesses and injuries, the Huskers competed at the 2015 NCAA Championships.
    Despite the trials the team faced, Coach Chuck Chmelka said his team fought hard and never gave up. The camaraderie and team effort the Huskers showed all season long, Chmelka said, allowed newcomers to step into some major roles as veterans guided their steps.
 “We had numerous individual career highs and earned our best hitting percentage in program history,” Chmelka said. “Despite the speed bumps along the way, overall we had an outstanding season.”
    At the NCAA Championships in Norman, Okla., Chmelka guided the Huskers to their 13th straight postseason appearance.
    Junior Ethan Lottman led the Big Red in the championship field as he took home his first All-America honors on pommel horse, the first Husker to do so on an individual event since 2013. The Omaha, Neb., native scored a season high-tying 15.10 in the team preliminaries to qualify to the event semifinals the following day. Lottman continued to deliver and posted a score of 14.85 to tie for seventh place, solidifying his spot in the finals. On event finals day, Lottman swung to another quality routine to take fifth overall with a 14.45, earning his status as an All-American. In the classroom, Lottman captured the Elite 89 Award from the NCAA, which honors the student-athlete in each of the 89 NCAA sports with the highest grade-point average while actively participating in the championships.
    “Ethan had a tremendous season,” Chmelka said. “From being an All-American, to winning the Elite 89 Award and our very own Hartung Award, he really excelled at the right time. We are fortunate to have him for one more season.”
    In addition to Lottman, four other Huskers earned their way to the NCAA event semifinals on the second night of competition, the second most to represent Nebraska in the Chmelka era. Sophomore Travis Gollott earned a berth into the all-around finals on the second night after competing as an all-arounder in only two previous meets. In the finals, Gollott finished 14th overall with a career-high 84.700, one of his four career-best scores of the night.
    Senior Louis Klein finished out his collegiate career in the high bar semifinals with a 14.80 to tie for 11th, just one place shy of earning a berth into the event finals. Junior All-American Sam Chamberlain took to the semifinal competition on parallel bars, tying for 20th with a score of 14.35. Sophomore newcomer Chris Stephenson saw action in the floor semifinals, where he posted a 15.05 for 20th overall.

    Freshman Kyle King qualified for the event semifinals on vault, earning a respectable 14.80 mark to tie for 18th place.
    King also made strides at the conference level during the 2015 Big Ten Championships in State College, Pa., where he punched his ticket to the vault and floor event finals. Despite suffering a fall in the floor finals, King excelled in the vault competition to tie for third with a personal-best 15.10, earning him the first Big Ten medal of his career.
    “Kyle is a seasoned athlete beyond his age,” Chmelka said. “He did so well for us this season and already has a bright future ahead of him.”
    In addition to King, a program-record four Huskers qualified for the individual event finals on the second night of the Big Ten Championships and provided leadership throughout the season. Senior Andrew House qualified for his first-ever championship finals on pommel horse, where he scored a 14.425 to finish in eighth place on the event. The Houston, Texas, native proved to be one of NU’s most consistent competitors all season long, steadily delivering quality performances on pommel and floor.
    “Andy truly is an inspiration to many,” Chmelka said. “After sitting out for two straight years with knee injuries and to come back for two years the way he did can’t say enough about the dedication he had. His dependability will definitely be missed.”
    Despite narrowly missing out on event finals at the NCAA Championships, Klein worked as a vital member of the team’s high bar, vault and parallel bars lineups. The Utica, Mich., native earned a season-high 15.00 at the NCAA preliminaries to punch his ticket to the event semifinals. Klein didn’t miss a single meet and scored a 14.00 or above four times.
    “Louis is a great talent that we will sure miss,” Chmelka said. “He really matured and became an exceptional young man both in and out of the gym.”
    Chamberlain continued to prove himself as one of Nebraska’s best parallel bars performers after setting the school record at home on March 15 with a 15.50. His success on the event led him to represent the Huskers as an event finalist at the Big Ten Championships, where he earned a 13.275 despite a fall. In vault finals, Chamberlain stuck a 14.95 for the second night in a row. As a three-event specialist, Chamberlain’s hard work kept him active in the lineups throughout the season.
    “Sam has been instrumental to our program,” Chmelka said. “Though he was so close to being an All-American again, I can’t wait to see what next year has in store for him.”
    Gollott trained hard to compete as an all-around competitor toward the end of the season, consistently delivering routines week after week. Gollott earned a spot in the floor finals at the Big Ten Championships, where he overcame a fall to garner a 13.875. Nebraska’s first all-around competitor since Wyatt Aycock in 2014, Gollott was a solid performer on every event for NU.
    “Travis really matured as a gymnast this season,” Chmelka said. “There is still so much more in store for him in these next couple years.”
    Classmate Stephenson made a big impact as a three-event specialist, consistently competing as a member of NU’s floor, parallel bars and high bars lineups. Stephenson’s consistency helped him become one of Nebraska’s most reliable members of the team in 2015. On floor, the Fishers, Ind., native competed in all but one regular-season meet and posted scores of 15.00 or better three times.
    “Chris went from competing in only one meet last year to competing on multiple events every meet this year,” Chmelka said. “We are so happy he decided to be a part of our program.”
    Fellow sophomore Austin Epperson maintained important positions in Nebraska’s rings and high bar lineups in 2015, stepping up as one of NU’s most valuable rings performers. He scored a 14.00 or better in all but one meet on the event, while also leading NU in the classroom and the community.
    “Austin just keeps getting better,” Chmelka said. “If he continues to work hard and push himself, he will do some really great things.”
    Junior Ryan Irick came back to a strong 2015 season after being plagued with injuries as a sophomore. He consistently put up scores on pommel horse and rings while also leading the Big Red in the classroom, being named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar after 2014.
    “Ryan had a great year,” Chmelka said. “It was so good to see him out there competing for us again.”
    Freshman Daniel Leal had a breakout year in his first season with the Huskers, despite undergoing gallbladder surgery midway through the season. He competed in five out of the six events over the course of the season, with major contributions on rings and parallel bars.


    “Daniel is another one who is mature for his age,” Chmelka said. “Even with his setback, he truly competed like a champion. The future is so bright for him.”
    The rest of Nebraska’s 2015 lineups came from contributors across all classes. Seniors Josh Ungar (vault) and Robbie Kocks (rings) provided key leadership to the underclassmen in 2015 after suffering from illnesses and injuries during the season. The pair each competed in two meets to close out their successful Husker careers. Sophomore Coleman Tokar made great strides as a three-event specialist on floor, rings and high bar for the Huskers, delivering quality routines throughout.
    Freshmen Connor Adamsick (vault), Brenon Sommers (rings) and Alex Magsam (rings, parallel bars) opened up their Husker careers with flare, together making up nearly a large portion of the lineups in 2015.
    Senior Grant Perdue anticipated seeking All-America honors to add to his list in 2015, but his efforts were put on hold due to an ACL injury suffered in the second meet of the season. The Houston, Texas, native provided encouragement both in and out of the gym and will use a medical redshirt to return as a fifth-year senior in 2016.
    “Losing Grant was unfortunate for us,” Chmelka said. “But we are sure glad we will have him back next year. He has been rehabbing like crazy, and I know he will come back as good as new for 2016.”
    Though freshmen Sanjaya Roy, Josh Everitt and Andrew Zymball did not see any action in 2015, they spent their time training and improving their skills in hopes of making an appearance in the 2016 lineups.
    The Huskers began the 2015 season at the Rocky Mountain Open in Colorado Springs, Colo., Jan. 11. The team came out of the gate strong to post a 420.150 after being edged by winner Oklahoma and second-place Air Force.
    NU next traveled to Palo Alto, Calif., for a quadrangular featuring Oklahoma, California and host Stanford Jan. 24. After having to count falls on pommel horse and losing Perdue to injury, the Huskers finished fourth with a 418.050.
    The team returned to Lincoln for the first home meet of the 2015 season against Army. NU rallied its way to victory after setting numerous career highs and finished on top with a 421.750. King was the floor champion, Lottman took the pommel horse crown, while Leal finished first on rings and parallel bars.
    Nebraska then began a three-meet stretch on the road, first to a triangular featuring Minnesota and the University of Illinois-Chicago in Minneapolis, Minn. on Feb. 7. The Huskers saw success by capturing four of six event titles, as the team finished in second with a 422.050.
    Continuing on the road, the team made its way to Iowa City, Iowa, for a Big Ten matchup against Minnesota and host Iowa on Feb. 14. Despite a tough pommel horse rotation, the Huskers finished strong to place third with a 420.250 team score.
    As the team had a two-week break from NCAA competition, King went on to compete in the prestigious Winter Cup Challenge Feb. 19-21. By invitation only, King competed on vault, floor and parallel bars, finishing third on vault with a 15.10 the first day. His scores earned him a spot in the finals the following day, where he took ninth overall on vault with a combined two-day total of 29.95.
    After another week off, the Huskers returned to competition on the road for a dual with Illinois in Champaign, Ill., on March 8. The team put together a series of seamless performances on floor to boost the team’s score, but fell just short to the Illini 436.700-423.450.
    Nebraska rebounded at home after a long stint on the road to host Senior Night on March 15, welcoming Big Ten foes Iowa, Minnesota and Penn State. NU posted its best team score of the season with a 426.050, placing fourth overall. Nebraska honored seniors House, Klein, Kocks and Ungar for their contributions to the program, as Klein closed out the exciting night with a proposal to his girlfriend.
    With a week of rest, Nebraska opened up the postseason at the Big Ten Championships in State College, Pa., March 27-28. The Huskers overcame some uncharacteristic mistakes to take seventh with a score of 420.100 in the team competition. Chamberlain, Gollott, House and King each punched their ticket to the event finals the following day, where King took the podium for third on vault with a 15.10. His performance earned him the first Big Ten medal of his career. House finished eighth on pommel horse with a 14.425, while Chamberlain took seventh on vault with a 14.95.
    The Huskers brought the season to a close at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Norman, Okla., April 9-11. Five Huskers advanced to the all-around finals and event semifinals on the second night of competition. Lottman then moved on as the sole athlete for Nebraska to be represented in the event finals, where he took fifth on pommel horse with a 14.45 and earned his first All-America award.