The Nebraska women’s gymnastics team saw three event titles and five career highs, but fell to the Illinois Fighting Illini, 196.275-195.600, on Saturday afternoon in Champaign, Ill.
Sophia McClelland won the beam title outright with a 9.850 and clinched a share of the floor title with a 9.925. Emma Spence notched a 9.900 on bars to split the title on that event.
Isabel Sikon (9.800) and Emalee Frost (9.775) each earned a new career high on bars, while Whitney Jencks (9.875) and McClelland (9.925) tied theirs on the floor.
Jencks, McClelland and Spence represented the Huskers (1-6, 0-1 Big Ten) in the all-around – Jencks was second with a career-high 39.275, McClelland placed third with a 39.100 and Spence was fourth with a 38.900.
Chloe Cho claimed the all-around title for Illinois (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) with a 39.400.
Rotation One
NU opened the afternoon on bars, notching a 49.200 as a team. Spence registered a 9.900 to lead the squad and claim a share of the event title, and Jencks followed with a 9.875. Emma Simpton posted a 9.850 and Sikon earned a career-high 9.800. McClelland and Emalee Frost rounded out the lineup with a 9.775 apiece.
Rotation Two
The Huskers moved to the vault, where they notched a team score of 48.850, led by Sikon with a 9.825. Spence scored a 9.800, and Jencks and Katie Kuenemann each logged a 9.775. Ayzhia Hall (9.675) and McClelland (9.550) finished out the lineup.
Rotation Three
McClelland tied her career high on the floor with a 9.925 to lead the Big Red to a 49.175 team score and grab her a share of the event title. Jencks and Spence each posted a 9.875, with Jencks’ tying her career high. Reese Baechle competed on floor for the first time for Nebraska and earned a 9.750. Halle Rourke also registered a 9.750, and Allie Gard rounded out the lineup with a 9.075.
Rotation Four (Beam)
McClelland once again led NU on the beam, notching a 9.850 to secure the event title. Sikon scored a 9.825 and Jencks followed with a 9.750. Nya Kraus notched a 9.625 and Spence (9.325) and Simpton (9.075) finished out the lineup. The Big Red notched a 48.375 as a team.
Up Next
NU will host its home opener against Maryland on Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The meet is slated to start at 4 p.m. (CT) and will be televised on the Big Ten Network. Tickets can be purchased here.
