University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Big Ten Championships
Gophers Finish Third at B1G Championships
3/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
LINCOLN - The University of Minnesota women's gymnastics team finished third in the Big Ten Championship Meet on Saturday afternoon with a team score of 196.575.
The Michigan Wolverines walked away with the title (197.125), followed by the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who finished second (196.900).
"We're really pleased with how the team performed today," said head coach Jenny Hansen. "We weren't as consistent as we had hoped, but we came away with a good score and a top three finish at the Big Ten Championships and I'm really proud of that."
Senior Lindsay Mable was named the Big Ten Gymnast of the Year for the second straight year, marking the eighth honor in Golden Gopher history and Hansen was voted the Big Ten Coach of the Year.
Mable won the All-Around crown after earning 39.650 on the day. Along with the All-Around, the Aurora, Colo. native tied for first on Beam (9.925) and Floor (9.950) and tied for third on the Uneven Bars (9.900).
"Lindsay's performances were really clutch for us tonight," said Hansen. "She had a great night - probably the best of the year, so it was really fun to see her shine tonight on such a big stage. Lindsay has really had a great year, so for her to be awarded the Big Ten Gymnast of the Year and that the whole conference feels the same way about her as we do is really special."
"Being named Big Ten Coach of the year is pretty surreal. This year has been really incredible and we have an amazing coaching staff. The award is really just the icing on the cake."
"I'm super humbled and honored to be named the Big Ten Gymnast of the Year," said Mable. "It is a huge honor and there are a lot of amazing competitors in the Big Ten. To be chosen amongst those elite gymnasts is very humbling."
Hollie Blanske of Nebraska took home first on Vault (9.975). Michigan's Brianna Brown and Kiera Brown of Penn State tied for first for the Bars title (9.950). Grace Williams of Nebraska and Nicole Artz of Michigan tied Mable for top honors on Beam (9.925) and Artz won first on Floor (9.75).
As a team, the Gophers collected scores of 49.050 (Vault), 49.075 (Bars), 49.100 (Beam) and 49.350 (Floor).
On Vault, Mable finished fifth (9.875) and senior Rachel Haines, sophomore Abby DeMuse and junior Bailey Abernathy tied for 16th with marks of 9.800.
On Bars, junior Bailie Holst finished tied for 15th with a score of 9.850.
Senior Hanna Nordquist collected a fourth place finish on Beam after notching a 9.900. Sophomore Ciara Garder earned the next highest place for Minnesota after earning a 9.800 to tie for 17th.
DeMuse tied for 8th on the Floor with a score of 9.875. Gardner and Abernathy finished in a tie for 13th with 9.850s.
In the All-Around, Gardner finished 14th with a total of 39.125 on the night.
"This was a good meet for us," said Mable. "I don't think we did everything possible that I know we're capable of as a team, but I know that that means there is still room for improvement, which is really encouraging. I'm really proud of the team and the way we showed up and overcame adversity to finish within the top three."
"Nebraska had a great crowd and there was a lot of energy in the arena today," said Hansen. "That was a really great thing for us to experience, because we're hoping for even more so when we host regionals here in two weeks."
"Moving forward, we're going to keep doing what we've been doing - working incredibly hard in the gym every day and paying attention to the little details. It's going to be great to be back home and to not have to travel for a few weeks. We're going to rest up and focus on what we need to do heading into the last home meet of the year."
Big Ten Individual Awards
Gymnast of the Year: Lindsay Mable, Minnesota
Freshman of the Year: Olivia Karas, Michigan
Coach of the Year: Jenny Hansen, Minnesota
All-Championships Team
Bridget Hodan, Illinois
Sunny Kato, Illinois
Mollie Drenth, Iowa
Angel Metcalf, Iowa
Kathy Tang, Maryland
Nicole Artz, Michigan
Brianna Brown, Michigan
Olivia Karas, Michigan
Elena Lagoski, Michigan State
Hailee Westney, Michigan State
Lindsay Mable, Minnesota
Hollie Blanske, Nebraska
Danielle Breen, Nebraska
Sienna Crouse, Nebraska
Jennie Laeng, Nebraska
Grace Williams, Nebraska
Kaitlyn Hofland, Ohio State
Kiera Brown, Penn State
Riahanah Ali, Rutgers
Sportsmanship Award Honorees
Mary Jane Horth, Illinois
Melissa Zurawski, Iowa
Kathy Tang, Maryland
Lindsay Williams, Michigan
Brittany Holmes, Michigan State
Madeline Hanley, Minnesota
Danielle Breen, Nebraska
Rachel Abrams, Ohio State
Christina Postiglione, Penn State
Kathryn Stebick, Rutgers
LOOKING AHEAD
On Monday, the Maroon and Gold will watch the NCAA Selection Show which will solidify the fate of the team's participation in the NCAA Regionals which will be hosted at the Sports Pavilion on April 2. The NCAA Nationals will be held in Fort Worth, Texas from April 15-16.
FOLLOW THE GOPHERS
Are you following the Gophers on the road or from home? Make sure to follow @GopherWGym on Twitter and use the team's hashtag #AlwaysGolden. You can also check for updates on Facebook and Instagram by "liking" Minnesota Women's Gymnastics on Facebook or following the Gophers on Instagram.
###
Players Mentioned
