Highlights from Nebraska's Win at Big 10 Championships

Nebraska stole the show a few weeks ago at the Big 10 Championships, winning every individual event title, the all around and capturing the school's third consecutive conference title with a 197.8. This outstanding performance by the Huskers gave Head Coach Dan Kendig his 14th conference title and set the team up nicely for the Morgantown Regionals held last weekend.

 

Unfortunately, uncharacteristic mistakes during the first three rotations of the Morgantown Regional left Nebraska in a huge hole heading into their final rotation.The Huskers were in fifth place and a trip to California seemed highly unlikely; however, the Huskers were not going down without a fight. A herculean effort on vault resulted in the best post season vault score in program history. Nebraska put their heart and soul into that final rotation giving everything they had and posting an incredible 49.650. All the team could do was sit, wait, watch and hope that their score held up as Illinois was finishing up on the treacherous balance beam. 

 

It was a nail-biter that came down to the final routine on the final rotation. Under tremendous pressure, Illinois Senior, Alina Weinstein, nailed her beam routine for a 9.9 allowing the llini to pass Nebraska for the second qualifying spot and earning Illinois the programs third ever trip to the NCAA Championships. 

 

"Alina has been so consistent all year," said Illinois Head Coach Kim Landrus. "She strives for perfection and to have that mentality in the anchor spot on every event is key. She believes in herself and really goes out there and performs. " Illinois Gymnastics

 The 49.175 scored by Illinois was the highest beam total of the entire competition and their team total of 196.025 is their second highest regional score in program history. 
 

Illinois gymnasts give Head Coach Kim Landrus a gatorade bath after the team qualifies to NCAA Championships for only the third time in school history.


An amazing and well deserved accomplishment for the Illini which meant heartbreak for the Huskers who did not qualify as a team for the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2009. The Huskers missed a berth to the NCAA Championships by only .150.  Emily Wong, Jessie DeZiel and Brittany Skinner will represent Nebraska at this years NCAA Championships. Wong and DeZiel earned their spots at Championships as the top two all-around finishers not on a qualifying team. Skinner qualified with her 9.95 on vault earning her a regional title and a trip to California. 

  

 While the Big 10 Champions did not qualify as a team to this year's NCAA Championships, they have plenty to be proud of in 2013 and expect them to be in the picture again in 2014.