Nebraska gymnasts fall to top-ranked Oklahoma despite season high

The Nebraska women’s gymnastics team suffered its first defeat of the season Friday finishing in second place at a triangular meet in Norman, Okla.

After posting their lowest score this year in their bars rotation, the Cornhuskers fought their way back to within three tenths of a point of host No. 2 Oklahoma after three events.

The Huskers performed a strong vault in the final rotation, yet their efforts were not enough to overcome the Sooners, who are now ranked No. 1 in the country. While the No. 10 Huskers finished with a season-high 196.225, Oklahoma won with a 196.825. Texas Woman’s University posted a 192.575.

The Huskers, 6-1 after the meet, are trying to concentrate on the positives after their first loss of the season.

“That was our best meet this year,” sophomore Kassandra Nathe said. “We are trying to focus on (the scores) rather than the loss.”

Coach Dan Kendig said he was happy with the scores from the meet, but he was much happier with the way his team performed.

“I was happy with the fight we had today,” Kendig said.

The Nebraska coach said the most encouraging part of the meet for him was how hard the Huskers worked in the last three rotations to close the point margin.

“This meet was a really big eye opener that we can fight back, even if we have a really bad first event,” Nathe said.

Junior Erin Davis won the vault title with a 9.9. Her teammates, who performed ahead of her, set her up to score well with their performances, Davis said.

Davis made a small hop during her landing, or the score could have been even higher, Kendig said.

“It was a big vault,” Kendig said. “She had a great day on bars and vault.”

The all-around title was won by NU junior Maria Scaffidi, who posted a 39.225. Scaffidi sat out of the vault competition against Missouri two weeks ago because NU coaches wanted her to take some time off to regain her form. Kendig said the move paid off because Scaffidi’s vaulting was much stronger and more confident than in weeks past.

While the Huskers will focus on the positives from the meet, they also know that they have to work hard to make up the difference between them and Oklahoma. After the meet on Friday, Nathe said the Huskers were already planning a Sunday practice where they would focus on fighting “for every tenth.”

“There are just little tenths here and there that add up,” Nathe said.

Last year, the regular season meeting between Oklahoma and Nebraska was won by the Huskers, but the Sooners won the Big 12 Championship.

Kendig said he wants history to repeat itself, but this time in Nebraska’s favor. The Huskers will get their rematch with the Sooners at the Devaney Sports Center this March when they host the conference championship.

Kendig said he hopes last weekend’s loss will become a rallying cry for his team.
“We just have to prove to be the hungrier team between now and Big 12s,” Kendig said.

brendancarl@dailynebraskan.com