Huskers Selected Second in B1G Coaches Poll

CHICAGO – The Big Ten Conferenced announced on Thursday the Nebraska women’s gymnastics team was selected to finish second in the conference in the 2019 Preseason Big Ten Coaches Poll.

"I really feel that this team has the potential to surprise a lot of people. I am looking forward to starting season, assessing where we are and continue to grow from there," Interim Head Coach Heather Brink said. "This is only a beginning and where we go from here, is all we have control over."

The Huskers came in second last season in the Big Ten Championships to Michigan, who is on top of this year's preseason poll. Illinois comes in third, while Ohio State and Minnesota round out the top five.

In addition, senior Sienna Crouse was selected as one 2019 Gymnasts to watch by the conference for the second straight year. Sienna Crouse earned first team honors on floor, and second team All-America honors on vault, adding to her first team All-America honors on vault in 2017 and was also first team All-Big Ten, Firs Team Big Ten All-Championships and Academic All-Big Ten last season. Junior Taylor Houchin also joins Crouse as a 2019 Gymnast to watch. Houchin earned first team All-American status on vault, and second-team honors on balance beam, last season, the first of her career. She was also named Big Ten vault co-champion, Second Team All-Big Ten and Academic All-Big Ten.

Nebraska finished in sixth at the NCAA Super Six in 2018 and returns eleven letter winners and three All-Americans. The Big Red was also voted no. 11 in the WCGA Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Cornhuskers will host five home events in 2019 including the annual Masters Classic at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. On the road, Nebraska will face reigning national champions UCLA, and three top 15 finishers, Denver, Kentucky and Washington. 

Nebraska will open the 2018 season at UCLA on Jan. 4 and will be televised nationally on ESPN2 beginning at 8 p.m. CT. The Huskers will begin Big Ten play with a road meet against Rutgers on Jan. 19.

Season tickets to Nebraska gymnastics are available now at Huskers.com or by calling 800-(8)BIG-RED. General admission season tickets are $26 for adult general admission, and $14 dollars for youth and senior general admission. Single event tickets are $5 for adult general admission, and $3 for youth and senior general admission. Tickets include access to both men’s and women’s gymnastics meets.

PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL

1. Michigan

2. Nebraska

3. Illinois

4. Ohio State

5. Minnesota

6. Iowa

7. Penn State

8. Maryland

9. Michigan State

10. Rutgers

 

GYMNASTS TO WATCH

Rae Balthazor                    Jr.           Illinois

Karen Howell                     Jr.           Illinois

Nicole Chow                       Sr.           Iowa

Charlotte Sullivan             Jr.           Iowa

Audrey Barber                   So.          Maryland

Kirsten Peterman             Jr.           Maryland

Abby Brenner                     Fr.           Michigan

Natalie Wojcik                   Fr.           Michigan

Ella Douglas                        Jr.           Michigan State

Lea Mitchell                        So.          Michigan State

Ona Loper                           So.          Minnesota

Lexy Ramler                        So.          Minnesota

Sienna Crouse                    Sr.           Nebraska

Taylor Houchin                  Jr.           Nebraska

Olivia Aepli                          Jr.           Ohio State

Jamie Stone                        Sr.           Ohio State

Lauren Bridgens                So.          Penn State

Sabrina Garcia                   Sr.           Penn State

Michelle Amoresano       Sr.           Rutgers

Belle Huang                        So.          Rutgers