Nebraska to Host Second Intrasquad Meet at Mabel Lee Hall

Lincoln, Neb. -- The Nebraska women's gymnastics team will host an intrasquad meet this Saturday in Mabel Lee Hall (third floor) at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, as attendees will get a look at the Huskers' routines before the season begins in January. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

The Huskers will go through their lineup in Olympic order. The event will begin on vault, followed by uneven bars, balance beam, and concluding on floor exercise. No official individual or team scores will be given out during the event. 
 
Posters and schedule cards will be available at the meet.

Nebraska enters the season as the No. 15 ranked program in the country, as decided by the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) preseason coaches' poll. Nebraska is one of five Big Ten Conference programs ranked within the top 25, along with No. 6 Michigan, No. 14 Minnesota, No. 24 Ohio State and No. 25 Penn State. 
 
NU looks to build upon the foundation set from the 2019 season, as 10 letter winners will return from last year's team. The Huskers finished No. 14 in the country under first-year head coach Heather Brink a season ago.

The Huskers welcome back two standout seniors, All-American and WCGA Academic All-American Taylor Houchin and First-Team All-Big Ten and WCGA Academic All-American Sierra Hassel. Houchin concluded the 2019 campaign with solo competition at the NCAA Nationals in Fort Worth, Texas after tying her career high on vault with a 9.975 at the NCAA Ann Arbor Regional. Hassel is coming off a career high year as well where she posted career highs on balance beam and floor exercise with scores of 9.975 and 9.925, respectively. NU will rely heavily on their two veteran seniors who will look to post once again, another impressive year.
 
Nebraska will also return four juniors for the 2020 season. Makayla Curtis will look to build upon the foundation laid her sophomore season where she saw action in 10 meets last season on vault and balance beam. Anika Dujakovich competed in 13 meets last season and provided consistency for the Huskers on vault. Kynsee Roby returns to action after a season ending injury sidelined her for the 2019 season. Megan Verceles Carr took a large leap from her freshman to sophomore season competing in every meet of the season and setting three career highs on vault, uneven bars and balance beam.
 
Four sophomores will build on the foundation they laid their freshman season. Adnerys De Jesus is coming off an impressive freshman season where she was named Second-Team All-Big Ten. De Jesus will look to continue her strong efforts from last season on vault, uneven bars and floor exercise. Sarah Hargrove returns after being a huge contributor on uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise. Abby Johnston provided consistency on floor exercise for the Huskers and will continue to do so. Kaylee Quinn rounds out the sophomore class and will be one of the most consistent vaulters on the team this season.
 
Brink also welcomes in three freshmen. Clara Colombo from Caravaggio, Italy will become the first Italian to compete in NCAA women's gymnastics competition this season. Kyle Piringer from Ramsey N.J., and Kathryn Thaler from Katy, Texas round out the freshman class. All are here to make an immediate impact for the Huskers this season. 
 
The Huskers will begin the 2020 season in Provo, Utah against No. 23 BYU on Monday, Jan. 6. Nebraska will hold its first home meet of the season on Thursday, Jan. 16 against No. 25 Penn State at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. NU's home opener will also be broadcast live on ESPN 2.