NU gymnasts falter at NCAA Championships

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

It may be an overused cliche in sports, but when Nebraska men’s gymnastics coach Francis Allen said his team was its own worst enemy Thursday at the NCAA Championships in Palo Alto, Calif., the longtime coach meant what he said.

The No. 10 Huskers started off strong, even moving as high as third at one point, before sliding to fifth in the final standings with 343.30 points and out of the team finals for the sixth straight season.

Oklahoma (357.50), Penn State (357.30) and Michigan (354.30) qualified for Friday’s team finals from Thursday’s first session.

“We did some good things. We’re our own worst enemy sometimes though,” Allen said. “Both Michigan and Ohio State were trying to help us, but then we started missing as much as they did.”

Four Huskers will be in Friday's individual event competition. The top 10 gymnasts in each event advance to Saturday’s finals.

Three-time All-American Stephen Tetrault, a Lincoln East graduate, will compete in the pommel horse. 

Blair native T.J. Schmidt will also try to add to his All-America honors, competing in the pommel horse and parallel bars.

“We had some bright spots and I’m really proud of our individuals who will compete (Friday)," Allen said.

Also competing for individual honors are sophomore Tony Maras (vault) and freshman Anthony Ingrelli (still rings).

The team and all-around champions will be crowned Friday.