2014 • SEASON OUTLOOK
Desire’ Stephens will carry momentum into the
2014 season, after a strong finish to her sophomore
campaign. A two-event specialist on vault and floor,
she will look to continue her strong performances
and boost Nebraska’s efforts.
“I would have to say, nobody has worked harder
than her throughout the summer and preseason to
make some changes,” Nebraska Coach Dan Kendig
said. “I just feel like this is going to be a great year
for her, and everybody should keep their eye out for
Des.”
2013 • SOPHOMORE SEASON
After battling a nagging injury from her
freshmen campaign, Desire’ Stephens broke into
the Husker lineup for Nebraska’s first meet of the
season and never relinquished her spot. A twoevent specialist on vault and floor for the Huskers,
Stephens contributed powerful performances
throughout the season to boost Nebraska’s efforts.
She hit career-high marks of 9.85 on both floor,
and vault late in the season, including two scores
of 9.85 on vault at the Big Ten Championships
and the NCAA Morgantown Regional. Her work on
vault contributed to NU’s efforts as they posted the
nation’s three highest scores of the season in March
and April.
2012 • FRESHMAN SEASON
Stephens saw limited action during her freshman
season with the Huskers, primarily contributing
depth on vault. She posted a 9.825 on vault in her
Nebraska debut at Minnesota on Feb. 18, helping
the Huskers to a team score of 196.85 and a win
over the Golden Gophers.
BEFORE NEBRASKA
Stephens competed for Nebraska Gold
Gymnastics in Omaha, under the coaching of Barb
Bottieri, Andi Molina and Don Houlton. She was the
2011 all-around and vault state champion and took
second in bars, beam and floor. Stephens finished
fifth in the all-around at the 2011 Region IV meet,
while tying for first on floor and second on vault.
Stephens took third on vault at Regionals in 2009,
while also placing 10th on bars, third on beam
and seventh on floor and all-around. In addition,
Stephens competed on all events in the 2009 JO
National Championships.
DESIRE’
STEPHENS. .
..................
.JUNIOR
.OMAHA, NEB.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MILLARD WEST HIGH SCHOOL
NEBRASKA GOLD
....................
PERSONAL
Stephens was born on May 1, 1993, in Phoenix,
Ariz. Stephens is the daughter of Cory and Jeri
Wiedel, and has one sister, Jayden, and one brother,
Jagger. Stephens is majoring in advertising and
public relations at Nebraska.
HONORS AND AWARDS
•Nebraska Student-Athlete HERO Leadership
Award (2012, 2013)
•Academic All-Big Ten (2013)
• Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Fall Honor Roll (2011,
2012)
•All-Around, Vault State Champion (2011)
•Region IV Champion (2011: FX)
•Junior Olympic National Qualifier
CAREER HIGHS
VAULT:
9.85 (3 times, last at NCAA Morgantown
Regional 4/6/13)
FLOOR:
9.85 (vs. Iowa State, 2/22/13)
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