Huskers Earn Top 20 Preseason Ranking

Nebraska claimed a top-20 ranking in the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) preseason poll released on Thursday, Dec. 17.

The Huskers, who are led by third-year head coach Heather Brink, received 569 points to enter the upcoming 2021 season at No. 20 in the national rankings.

"We are looking forward to kicking off the season. With all the uncertainty and abnormality facing us all in the pandemic, our team has embraced new norms and adjusted well," Brink said. "I believe in this team and the ability of our gymnasts to reach their full potential. We have a lot of newcomers who will be able to make immediate impacts and add to the depth of our returners. I whole-heartedly believe great things are ahead of us."

Nebraska enters the season as the third-highest ranked team in the traditionally powerful Big Ten Conference. Michigan heads into the season at No. 5, while Minnesota will begin 2021 at No. 11.

Six other Big Ten teams ranked among the top 36, including No. 22 Illinois, No. 25 Iowa, No. 27 Penn State, No. 28 Maryland, No. 29 Ohio State and No. 34 Michigan State, to give the conference nine teams in the first set of rankings, while Rutgers was also among the 50 teams that received votes in the preseason poll.

WGCA Preseason Coaches Poll (Dec. 17)
1.   Florida (1,167 points;16 first-place votes)
2.   Oklahoma (1,152 points; 16 first-place votes)
3.   LSU (1,076 points)
4.   Utah (1,073 points)
5.   Michigan (1,060 points)
6.   Alabama (944 points)
7.   UCLA (943 points)
8t.   California (919 points)
8t.   Denver (919 points; 1 first-place vote)
10. Georgia (847 points)
11. Minnesota (834 points)
12. Kentucky (773 points)
13. Oregon State (746 points)
14. Auburn (707 points)
15. Arkansas (678 points)
16. Missouri (638 points)
17. BYU (628 points)
18. Iowa State (573 points)
19. Washington (572 points)
20. Nebraska (569 points)
21. Arizona State (565 points)
22. Illinois (428 points)
23. Southern Utah (426 points)
24. Arizona (378 points)
25. Iowa (372 points)
26. North Carolina State (359 points)
27. Penn State (297 points)
28. Maryland (290 points)
29. Ohio State (281 points)
30. Boise State (267 points)
31. Stanford (242 points)
32t. Utah State (203 points)
32t. West Virginia (203 points)
34. Michigan State (170 points)
35. George Washington (160 points)
36. Pittsburgh (105 points)
Also receiving votes: North Carolina (98 points); Central Michigan (81 points); New Hampshire (69 points); Kent State (41 points); Northern Illinois (26 points); Eastern Michigan (20 points); Temple (18 points); Western Michigan (15 points); UC Davis (12 points); Rutgers (10 points); San Jose State (10 points); Bowling Green (7 points); Towson (5 points); LIU (2 points).