Michigan was voted the team to beat in the Big 10’s preseason coaches poll. The Wolverines finished first in the conference in 2015. Nebraska finished second in preseason votes followed by Illinois, Penn State, Ohio State, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan State, Maryland and Rutgers.
The conference also selected gymnasts to watch for the 2016 season. On the list are six first-team All-Big 10 honorees from last season: Gianna O’Connor (Illinois), Nicole Artz (Michigan), Lisa Burt (Michigan State), Elena Lagoski (Michigan State), Lindsay Mable (Minnesota) and Hollie Blanske (Nebraska). Also on the list are Ashley Lambert (Nebraska) and Briannah Tsang (Penn State) who received second-team honors. Mable was also the Big 10 Gymnast of the Year in 2015 and Tsang was freshman of the year.
Rounding out the watch list are Mollie Drenth (Iowa), Angel Metcalf (Iowa), Abbie Epperson (Maryland), Kathy Tang (Maryland), Ciara Gardner (Minnesota), Taylor Harrison (Ohio State), Kiera Brown (Penn State), April Baker (Rutgers) and Elizabeth Groden (Rutgers). Lizzy LeDuc (Illinois), Olivia Karas (Michigan) and Kaitlyn Hofland (Ohio St) made the list as newcomers.
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