Huskers Topple Arizona State

Lincoln, Neb.- The Nebraska women’s gymnastics team posted a season-high score in a 197.30-192.75 win over Arizona State Sunday afternoon at the Devaney Center. In front of a crowd of 1,352 fans, NU swept all five individual honors and hit a 49.00 or better on all four events. The Huskers are now 8-7 (3-1 Big 12) on the year.

The Huskers posted their first score of 197.00 or better since competing at Kentucky in 2007. Today’s score is their eighth highest home total in school history.

“I’m just so proud of the whole team and what we’re doing,” Head Coach Dan Kendig said. “It’s fun to see what they’ve done in practice pay off. They made it look easy today, and we went 26 for 26 on our routines. I am very happy.”

Erin Davis posted a perfect 10.0 on vault to take the event title. It marked the second such score of her career, previously receiving it against Minnesota and Illinois in 2010. Until today, she had hit four scores of 9.925 and has posted two 9.95s on vault. Ranked No. 1 on the event nationally, she earned her sixth vault title of the season with today’s score.

“Before she went into warm-ups I said, ‘Erin, is today the day?’ She said yes and she got it,” Kendig said. “I am so proud of her. It’s a lot of hard work, it doesn’t just happen for her.”

Nebraska hit a season-high 49.375 on the vault. The score marks Nebraska’s fourth highest vault total in school history.

Maria Scaffidi notched the bars title with a 9.925, the third bars crown for her this season. Janelle Giblin and Brittnee Habbib tied for first on beam, each posting a 9.85. Davis, Lora Evenstad and Maria Scaffidi all earned a share of the floor title, hitting scores of 9.875. Giblin earned the second all-around crown of her career, totaling a 39.275.

Nebraska started the meet in record-breaking fashion on vault. Davis hit the second 10.00 of her career to capture the event crown. In addition, Evenstad posted a career-high 9.95 and Jamie Schleppenbach notched a career high of her own with a 9.925. Brittany Skinner tabbed a 9.875 and Maddie Steinauer added a 9.825. Nebraska posted a season-high team total of 49.575. NU’s total on vault ranks fourth in Devaney Center records. Nebraska led Arizona State after the first rotation 49.575-48.50.

The Huskers moved to bars where Scaffidi tallied a career-high 9.925 for the event title. Evenstad added a 9.90 to take second, while Emily Wong and Giblin both hit scores of 9.85 to come in third. Habbib posted a 9.825, giving NU a bars total of 49.35, their second highest bars total of the season. NU increased their lead over ASU at the halfway point of the meet, 98.925-97.225.

NU continued to beam with Giblin and Habbib leading the way for first-place, each hitting career high’s of 9.85. Wong tabbed a season-high-tying 9.825 to take third, while Steinauer and Skinner both received marks of 9.80. The score was a season-high for Skinner. Nebraska posted a season-high 49.125 on beam. The Huskers notched a 148.05-145.40 lead over the Sun Devils heading into the final rotation.

Nebraska capped the day on floor with a three-way tie for first-place between Davis, Evenstad and Scaffidi, who all hit scores of 9.875. The mark was a season-high for both Scaffidi and Davis. Wong tied her career-high score of 9.825 for the second time, while Steinauer notched a 9.80. Nebraska totaled a 49.25 on the event, clinching the 197.30-192.75 win over the Sun Devils.

The Huskers welcome Iowa State to the Devaney Center on Sunday, March 13 at 2 p.m. The Huskers will honor seniors Erin Davis, Brittnee Habbib, Maria Scaffidi and Maddie Steinauer in their final home meet of the season.