Michigan Defeats No. 17 Nebraska, Stays Undefeated in Big Ten

» No. 8 Michigan defeated No. 17 Nebraska, 197.075-196.900, on Thursday night (Jan. 30).
» With the win, Michigan (3-0) and Minnesota (2-0) are the remaining undefeated teams in Big Ten meets.
» Abby Brenner won vault with career-high 9.950
» Balance beam and vault rotations propelled the Wolverines to victory.

Site: Lincoln, Neb. (Bob Devaney Sports Center)
Score: #8 Michigan 197.075, #17 Nebraska 196.900
Records: U-M (5-0, 3-0 Big Ten), No. 17 Nebraska (3-2, 2-1 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Feb. 9 -- vs. Ohio State (Crisler Center), 4 p.m.

• Complete Results (PDF)

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The No. 8-ranked University of Michigan women's gymnastics team earned a big road win over No. 17 Nebraska, defeating the Cornhuskers, 197.075-196.900, on Thursday night (Jan. 30) at the Bob Devaney Sports Center to remain undefeated in the Big Ten.

Coming off an emotional Flip for Chip meet last Friday, the Wolverines only had two days of practice to get ready for a top-20 conference showdown against the only other team to win a conference championship over that last 13 years. The meet had implications for the Big Ten regular-season title race as both teams were 2-0 and tied with Minnesota entering the meet.

An outstanding vault rotation turned the meet in favor of Michigan. Sophomore Abby Brenner stuck her Yurchenko 1 1/2 to earn a career-high 9.950 and her second career vault title. Freshman Sierra Brooks followed with her first career 9.900 on the event to place second as U-M posted a 49.325 to match their season-best vault score and take the lead.

Nebraska did its best to battle back in the final rotation, posting a 49.350 on floor exercise. After a fall on balance beam, it came down to Michigan sophomore Natalie Wojcik, who was brilliant on the apparatus once again, scoring a 9.875 to clinch the victory.

The beam rotation also featured two other 9.875 performances by Brooks and junior Lauren Farley.

Following a great vault rotation that turned the tide in favor of U-M, the Wolverines looked to maintain their lead over the Huskers on floor exercise. Michigan received 9.875 scores from freshmen Brooks and Gabby Wilson. The team finished with a 49.225 to extend its lead to 0.225 heading into the final rotation on balance beam.

The Wolverines started the meet strong on uneven bars with a 49.225. Wojcik led the team with a 9.875 as she showcased her deltchev for the second straight meet. Three gymnasts posted a 9.850 for U-M, including sophomores Maddie Mariani, Brenner and Brooks.

Brooks earned the all-around win with a 39.500, matching her season best. It was her second career all-around victory.

Michigan will have a 10-day break from competition before it hosts Ohio State on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 4 p.m. inside Crisler Center. The meet will be a Day at the Movies with character actors on the concourse, and the senior recognition for the meet will be Lexi Funk [ Tickets ]