This week will be another exciting week for the Big Ten. In rankings, Michigan has moved up again this week to number four, Nebraska is number six, Illinois number 11, Minnesota fell to 29, while Penn State moved to 13, and Ohio State and Michigan State are tied at 20. Some highlights from this weekend include Hollie Blanske scoring the individual all-around high (in the conference) of 39.5, and Nebraska Sophomore Ashley Lambert seting a career high with a perfect 10 on vault! 

Image Via: Nebraska's Twitter

Last Week in the Big Ten 
- Rutgers 192.775 at Illinois 196.175

- Penn State 196.025 at Nebraska 197.125

- Oklahoma 196.5 at Minnesota 194.475

- Michigan 196.975, WVU 194.175, at Ohio State 195.025

- Minnesota 193.35 at Maryland 194.325
-Michigan State 195.625, Ball State 193.35 at Iowa 194.425

 

Minnesota had a busy and tough week last weekend where they went 0-2 in their two competitions.  Minnesota had a disappointing performance on Thursday as they traveled to Maryland.  The Gophers were defeated by Maryland 194.325-193.35.  Both teams had an event where they scored below a 48.0 as a team. Maryland was able to prevail and overtake the Gophers for their first conference win.  The Gophers had to rebound quickly as they welcomed in No. 1 Oklahoma on Saturday.  Minnesota had a much better team performance however still came up short 196.5-194.475. 

The University of Nebraska had an explosive vault rotation to boast a team score of 197.125.  The Huskers set a program record score of 49.75 on vault, including a perfect 10!  Sophomore Ashley Lambert scored a perfect 10 on vault to cap off a HUGE vault rotation.  Jessie DeZiel was near perfect scoring a 9.975 on her vault.  Penn State held strong against the explosive Huskers as they posted a team score of 196.025.  Penn State was led by Senior Sidney Sanabria-Robles and Freshman Briannah Tsang as they tied for the bar title with a 9.90.

The Michigan Wolverines continued their winning ways on the road during a tri-meet with Ohio State and West Virginia.  Michigan posted a 196.975 over Ohio State, 195.025 and WVU, 194.175.  Michigan went 24-24 posting a season best score.  Freshman Brianna Brown competed in her home state for the first time as a Wolverine where she was impressive with a 39.375 all-around score.  The Wolverines were boasted by a 49.325 bar rotation to start the meet.  They finished with an average vault rotation scoring a 49.175. 

   
Big Ten Rankings

     1. Michigan

     2. Nebraska

     3. Illinois

     4. Penn State

     5T. Michigan State

     5T. Ohio State

     7. Minnesota

     8. Iowa

     9. Maryland

    10. Rutgers

Pictured- Brianna Brown-
Via Michigan's Facebook



Conference Awards 

Junior Hollie Blanske (Nebraska) was named Big Ten gymnast of the week after her 39.5 all-around score last weekend. Freshman Brianna Brown (Michigan) won freshman of the week for the second consecutive week, as she scored a 39.375 all-around. The Big Ten specialist of the week goes to Senior Sunny Kato (Illinois) for her 9.925 on beam and 9.90 on bars. 

Who to watch this week:

The Michigan Wolverines will be home for the first time this season as they take on Illinois in a Big Ten matchup.  The Wolverines will look to continue their winning ways at home this weekend.  The Fighting Illini will look to gain a big road win over the Wolverines.  Look for Senior Sunny Kato to lead the way for Illinois.  The young Michigan squad will be looking to put on a great show for their home fans in Crisler Center. 

Michigan State is off to one of their best starts in program history this year.  The Spartans are currently ranked No. 20 in the nation.  The Spartans will welcome in a struggling Minnesota Gophers team, who is looking for a big rebound this weekend.  The Gophers have a new head coach and are looking to prove that it is too early to count them out.  The host Spartans will put up a fight to continue their hot start this season. 

The Nebraska Cornhuskers are coming off an explosive weekend and are looking to go big again in a quad meet this weekend.  Rutgers will host Brockport State, Southern Conn. and Big Ten opponent, Nebraska.  Rutgers is looking for their first win of the season as they head home for the first time this season. 

 

This Week in the Big Ten:

 

Saturday January, 24

1:00 ET/10:00 PT – Brockport State, Nebraska, Southern Conn. @ Rutgers

4:00 ET/1:00 PT – Minnesota @ Michigan State

4:00 ET/1:00 PT – Maryland @ Penn State

4:00 ET/1:00 PT – Iowa @ Ohio State

 

Sunday January, 25

4:00 ET/1:00 PT – Illinois @ Michigan

 

Related: 

Big Ten: Week 3

Opening Weekend In the Big Ten