Nebraska women’s gymnastics wins Masters Classic

Posted By: Sports

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Story Courtesy: Nebraska Athletics

Lincoln – Danielle Breen won the all-around title in her first-career all-around performance to lead the 14th-ranked Nebraska women’s gymnastics team to a victory in the 26th-annual Masters Classic. The Cornhuskers (10-3) scored a 196.375 to defeat Bridgeport, Northern Illinois and Sacramento State in front of 2,068 fans on Saturday night at the Devaney Center.

The Huskers led after each rotation and scored their second-highest team score of the season.

Breen, a sophomore from Ames, Iowa, scored a 39.475 to lead the Huskers, who have now won 21 consecutive Masters Classics. Breen also won her first-career vault and beam titles, scoring a 9.875 in the first vault of her career and a 9.90 on beam to tie her career high.

“Danielle was unbelievable today,” Nebraska Coach Dan Kendig said. “She’s one of the hardest workers we have on the team, and to see great things happen for her, that’s pretty special.”

Sacramento State (9-5) finished second with a score of 194.875. Northern Illinois (7-8) finished third with a score of 194.350, followed by Bridgeport (13-9) with a score of 193.225.

Hollie Blanske finished second in the all-around with a 39.425, and picked up event titles on vault with a 9.875 and floor with a 9.90.

Rotation One: The Huskers began the evening on vault and posted a solid 49.000 to begin the meet. Blanske tied her season high with a 9.875, while Breen matched with a 9.875 in the first vault of her collegiate career to lead Nebraska. Sienna Crouse, Megan Schweihofer and Grace Williams each posted a 9.75 for the Big Red.

Northern Illinois opened on floor and scored a 48.975, led by Courtney Dowdell’s 9.85. Sacramento State began on beam, scoring a 48.425, led by a pair of 9.80s from Cassie Benning and Kalliah McCartney. Bridgeport started on bars and scored a 47.500, led by Kelsey Campbell’s 9.725.

Rotation Two: NU moved to bars for the second rotation and posted a 48.800 to maintain the lead. Breen and Ashley Lambert led the Huskers on the event, posting a pair of 9.825s. Blanske scored a 9.80, while Crouse hit a 9.775 for Nebraska

Bridgeport moved to beam and scored a 48.250, led by Brianna Comport with a 9.85. Sacramento State moved to floor and scored a 48.550, led by McCartney with a 9.825. Northern Illinois rotated to vault and posted a 48.450, led by Andie Van Voorhis with a 9.75.

After two rotations, Nebraska led with a score of 97.800, followed by NIU with a score of 97.425. Sac State was third with a score of 96.975 followed by Bridgeport with a score of 95.750

Rotation Three: For the third rotation, the Huskers performed on beam and scored a 49.325, the Huskers’ second-highest beam score of the season. Breen paced the Big Red with a 9.90, which tied her career high. Schweihofer scored a 9.875 to finish second on the event. Three Huskers, Blanske, Williams and Madison McConkey hit 9.85s, while Lambert rounded out the scoring with a 9.825.

Bridgeport moved to floor and scored a 48.875, led by Comport with a 9.85. Sacramento State moved to vault and scored a 48.950, led by McCartney with a 9.875. Northern Illinois moved to bars and scored a 48.775, led by Jamyra Carter with a 9.85.

After three rotations, Nebraska led with a score of 147.125. Northern Illinois was second with a score of 146.200. The Hornets sat in third with a score of 145.925, followed by Bridgeport with a score of 144.625.

Rotation Four: The Huskers ended the night on floor and scored a 49.275 to seal the win. Blanske anchored NU’s floor lineup with a 9.90, followed by Breen and Williams with 9.875s. Crouse scored a 9.85 and McConkey pitched in a 9.775 for the Big Red.

Bridgeport closed on vault and scored a 48.600, led by Ajiea Hargrave with a 9.875. Sacramento State ended on bars with a score of 48.950, led by Benning and Jackie Simpson with scores of 9.825. Northern Illinois final rotation came on beam, with the Huskies scoring a 48.150, led by Katherine Prentice with a 9.85.

Nebraska returns to action next Sunday, March 6, against Utah State. The meet is set to begin at 2 p.m. (CT) at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The Huskers will honor seniors Hollie Blanske and Madison McConkey prior to the meet as part of their Senior Day festivities. A live stream can be seen on HuskersNSide Premium and live scoring will be available on Huskers.com.

Notes:

• Nebraska moves to 3-0 all-time against Northern Illinois, Bridgeport and Sacramento State
• Nebraska has now won each of the last 21 Masters Classics
• Nebraska’s team score of 196.400 was its second-highest of the season
• Nebraska’s score of 49.325 on beam was its second-highest of the season and third-highest in Masters Classic history
• Hollie Blanske tied season highs with a 9.875 on vault and 9.85 on beam
• Blanske won her second-consecutive vault title and the fifth of her career
• Blanske won her fourth floor title of the season
• Danielle Breen won her first-career all-around title with a score of 39.475 in her first-career all-around performance
• Breen tied career highs on beam with a 9.90 and floor with a 9.875
• Breen tied a season high on bars with a 9.825
• Breen scored a 9.875 in the first vault of her career
• The event titles were the first event titles of Breen’s career
• Sienna Crouse tied a career high with a 9.85 on floor
• Crouse posted a 9.775 in the first bars routine of her career
• Madison McConkey set career highs with a 9.85 on beam and a 9.775 on floor