HUSKERS LOOK TO BUILD ON 2013
Ten Distinguished Scholar.
Juniors Desire’ Stephens and Amanda Lauer both return as
steady and valuable gymnasts for NU. Last season, Stephens,
a two-event specialist on vault and floor, helped the Huskers
earn their highest vaulting team score in Nebraska history
(49.725) at the Big Ten Championships. She will work to add to
the Huskers’ powerful vault lineup this season. Amanda Lauer
will also look for steady improvement as she competes for a
spot in NU’s beam and bar lineups.
Sophomore Hollie Blanske has the ability to make a statement
as one of Nebraska’s top vaulters this season. Blanske was a
important part of Nebraska’s Big Ten Championship-winning
efforts, finishing in a tie for sixth on floor (9.90) and earning
share of the Big Ten title on vault (9.95).
Nebraska will welcome back two gymnasts who were injured
last season; redshirt freshmen Jordyn Beck and Ariel Martin. In
addition, sophomore walk-on Madison McConkey, who spent
last season adjusting to the competition level of collegiate
gymnastics, will join the Huskers in 2014. These gymnasts
will continue improving to break into multiple NU lineups this
season.
Huskers Welcome Talented Newcomers
The Huskers will introduce two talented newcomers to the
roster this season. Jennie Laeng and Ashley Lambert are both
level 10 gymnasts who will help fill important roles with the
loss of three seniors last season.
“They are both so talented,” Kendig said. “We definitely
filled some holes that we needed filled with them. I think
individually they are both very talented and have their separate
strengths that will really help us out this year.”
Laeng joins the Huskers from West Middlesex, Pa., and will
look to break into all four events for the Huskers. She was
the all-around, vault and beam champion at the 2011 Junior
Olympic National In f