In this ongoing series, FloGymnastics spotlights this year's NCAA seniors heading into their final season. Next up is Nebraska's Jennie Laeng. 

Jennie Laeng is one of two seniors this season for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. During her time at Nebraska, she has become a consistent and strong all-arounder -- breaking into the all-around during her junior season and never looking back. She is known for her beautiful lines on bars, where she boasts a 9.95 career high and was the Big Ten co-champion in 2015. 

Laeng is off to a strong start in her final year with the Cornhuskers, leading her team to a season high of 196.825. Watch for her to give her team everything she has to help Nebraska to a successful postseason.  



FloGymnastics: What is your major? When are you graduating? 
Jennie Laeng: Major: Psychology. I will graduate May 2017.

What have you learned about yourself in your time at Nebraska? 
I have learned what I enjoy doing in the classroom and what I want to go into. I have learned how to be a better teammate and become a leader. I have also learned new cultures from many different kinds of people. 

What is your role on the team this season as a senior?
I have become more of a leader, especially to the freshmen and sophomores. I help them learn how to accept their roles on the team and live on their own. I try to focus on things that I remember struggling with and help them in any way that I can. 

What is your biggest accomplishment personally?
Being able to overcome adversity and learning my way. I have learn to grow from my mistakes and stand on my own two feet as an adult. 

What are you still looking to accomplish this season? 
To graduate this May and have a fun and loving season with my teammates. 

What are your team goals this season? 
To win conference championships and make nationals. We also have goals to enjoy every moment. 

What is your favorite part about competition day? 
My teammates! They make the sport so fun and being around their energy is awesome. 

How have your coaches at Nebraska helped you become a better gymnast? 
All three coaches have been amazing. [Head coach Dan Kendig] has really helped me grow as a gymnast and believe in myself. Through their confidence I have become confident in myself. All the coaches care about you so much as a person, not just about how I compete. 

What are your plans after graduation? 
I plan to attend graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh and get my master's in public health. 

How do you like to spend your time outside of the gym?
Sleep! I also like to learn and work in the neuropsychic lab. I am close friends with everyone on the men's and women's gymnastics team, so I like to hang out with them. 

Tell us something about you that others might not know about you? 
I have a pet snake named Hugo. 

What is one word to describe your attitude/personality in the gym?
Supportive.

Why would you tell a future recruit to come to Nebraska?
We have an amazing and supportive staff, including our medical staff and trainers. In the classroom aspect we also have cutting-edge technology. We also have a huge life skills department. 

You mentioned you are involved in community outreach programs. Tell us about some of the programs you are involved in. 
As a team we go once a week to the soup kitchen, where we interact and help clean up. I also like to go to the nursing home to socialize with them and help paint nails and play bingo! We have been involved as a team with Make-A-Wish to help little kids' dreams come true. Finally, we like to help out at local elementary schools, where we talk about leadership and help with mentor programs. 

Anything else you would like to share with us?
This year we have a team motto of "fuel the fire." We want to focus on putting our energy in and not taking energy out. 


Related:
Senior Spotlight: Michigan's Nicole Artz
Senior Spotlight: Oklahoma's Chayse Capps
Senior Spotlight: Georgia's Lauren Johnson
Senior Spotlight: LSU's Ashleigh Gnat
Senior Spotlight: Stanford's Rachel Daum
Senior Spotlight: Auburn's Kullen Hlawek
Senior Spotlight: Florida's Claire Boyce
Senior Spotlight: Utah's Baely Rowe
Senior Spotlight: Auburn's Kelsey Kopec
Senior Spotlight: Oregon State's Madeline Gardiner 
Senior Spotlight: Arkansas' Amanda Wellick