University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Tabbed Sixth in B1G Preseason Poll
12/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota women's gymnastics team was ranked No. 6 in the Big Ten Women's Gymnastics Preseason Coaches' Poll released Thursday.
Along with the team's preseason ranking, senior Lindsay Mable and sophomore Ciara Gardner were named to the Big Ten Women's Gymnasts to Watch List.
Last season, the Gophers earned five first place finishes and finished second six times. The Maroon and Gold finished third at the Big Ten Qualifier with a final tally of 196.450, as well as at the Big Ten Championships, finishing sixth.
Mable, an all-around competitor, was named the 2015 Big Ten Gymnast of the Year after a storied junior campaign. The Aurora, Colo. native earned six weekly league honors, held the top spot nationally in the all-around for two weeks straight, a first for the Minnesota women's gymnastics program. Mable was also named the Big Ten Vault Champion, tied for the Big Ten Floor Champion title and finished second in the overall. The 2015 Academic All-American earned the Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award, a 2015 Honda Sports Award nomination and was named the to the 2015-15 Capital One Academic All-District Team.
Gardner, an all-around competitor, appeared in all fourteen meets for the Gophers as a freshman. The Frisco, Texas native tied for second on the balance beam with a score of 9.850 and floor exercise, tallied a 9.850 against Iowa State. At the same meet, Gardner also tallied a 39.275 in the all-around, finishing third. Gardner notched her season-high score on floor at the Tri-Meet vs. New Hampshire and Iowa with a 9.900.
BIG TEN WOMEN'S GYMNASTICS PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
1. Michigan
2. Nebraska
3. Illinois
4. Penn State
5. Ohio State
6. Minnesota
7. Iowa
8. Michigan State
9. Maryland
10. Rutgers
BIG TEN WOMEN'S GYMNASTS TO WATCH LIST
Lizzy, Leduc, Fr., Illinois
Giana O' Connor, Sr. Illinois
Mollie Drenth, Jr., Iowa
Angel Metcalf, Jr., Iowa
Abbie Epperson, So., Maryland
Kathy Tang, Sr., Maryland
Nicole Artz, Jr., Michigan
Olivia Karas, Fr., Michigan
Lisa Burt, Sr., Michigan State
Elena Lagoski, Jr., Michigan State
Ciara Gardner, So., Minnesota
Lindsay Mable, Sr., Minnesota
Hollie Blanske, Sr., Nebraska
Ashley Lambert, Jr., Nebraska
Taylor Harrison, So., Ohio State
Kaitlyn Hofland, Fr., Ohio State
Kiera Brown, Jr., Penn State
Briannah Tsang, So., Penn State
April Baker, Jr., Rutgers
Elizabeth Gordon, So., Rutgers
Players Mentioned
