2015 SEASON PREVIEW
THIS IS NEBRASKA
HISTORY
REVIEW
OPPONENTS
2015 HUSKERS
STAFF & COACHES
INTRO
2015 NEBRASKA WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS
Hollie Blanske
Jennifer Lauer
Jessie DeZiel
The Nebraska women’s gymnastics team heads into the 2015
season with the potential for national success and the goal to
win its fourth consecutive Big Ten conference title. With two
returning All-Americans who have combined for eight awards
in their careers, as well as nine returning letterwinners and
three newcomers, the Huskers once again rank high among the
nation’s elite collegiate programs. NU is led by Head Coach Dan
Kendig, who enters his 22nd season at Nebraska. Kendig sees
the potential for continued success with the 2015 squad.
“On paper we have the potential to be a lot stronger than we
were last year and that is saying a lot,” Kendig said. “I feel like
we have a team that has an enormous amount of potential and
it is how we train from this point on. We just have to continue
to get better every day and there will be competition on most
events, which will make us a better team.”
Kendig will be joined by assistant coaches Dan Miller and
Heather Brink and volunteer assistant coach Russell Warfield
and student volunteer Emily Wong.
LEADING WITH EXPERIENCE:
THE RETURNING LETTERWINNERS
Nebraska’s solid core of nine letterwinners returns, as the
Huskers have a tough schedule this year. NU faces six teams
who finished in the top 15 in the country last season.
Senior Jessie DeZiel is ready to lead the Huskers in her final
season. A seven-time All-American, NU will look to her to
anchor all events as the team’s top all-around competitor.
DeZiel, the two-time regional vault champion, is one of the
Huskers’ most experienced gymnasts and adds a unique flair
to her events. A three-time All-American in the all-around
competition, DeZiel hopes to not only defend her status as one
of the nation’s best all-around competitors but to contend for a
national title at the NCAA Championships.
“Jessie has worked really hard. I see her having a truly
amazing senior year,” Kendig said.
DeZiel capped her 2014 season at the NCAA Championships
with a stellar performance, placing eighth overall in the allaround (39.50). She was an integral part of the beam lineup,
where she hit a 9.90 to earn first-team All-America status and
fueled the Big Red to its 11th Super Six appearance.
Fellow senior Amanda Lauer is looking to keep her strong
momentum going into the 2015 season as one of NU’s top
beam workers. Lauer came on strong at the end of the season
providing depth on bars and never missed a meet on beam.
Sister Jennifer Lauer returns to the Husker lineup after suffering
a season-ending injury last year. Jennifer Lauer will enter her
senior season bringing considerable experience in her fourth
season and is set to contend for the Big Ten beam title. Desire’
Stephens will also look to be a big-time contributor in all four
events for the Huskers this season. Known as the team’s spark
plug, Stephens expects to finish her career at Nebraska on a
high note.
Junior all-arounder Hollie Blanske will enter her third year
with the Huskers as one of the team’s strongest competitors.
Blanske became an All-American in 2014, earning first-team
accolades on beam at the NCAA Championships. She provided a
solid 1-2-3 punch in the all-around alongside DeZiel and Wong,
as she proved to be one of the Huskers’ most valuable gymnasts
and continually provided clutch performances on every event.
Blanske shined brightest at the Big Ten Championships as she
soared to a 39.60 all-around score to finish second overall. She
is set to pave the way in the all-around this season.
Madison McConkey gained valuable experience on bars as a
sophomore and proved to be one of the team’s hardest workers
and she provided crucial depth on the event. She returns to
serve as a strong competitor and challenge for the lead-off
spot in the lineup.
Sophomore Jen