The Huskers have spent the last two seasons climbing out of a post-COVID rankings hole, and last year was a solid step in the right direction. Some standby routines graduated or transferred, but the Huskers were the recipients of two incoming gymnasts from now-defunct Lindenwood in Reese Baechle and Nya Kraus. Plus, former four-star recruit in Molly Peterson is coming in the door.
2024 Rewind
No. 24 overall | No. 7 at Big Ten championships | No. 27 in regular season | Regional semi-final
2024 was a good year, but the early injury to transfer Lucy Stanhope let some air out of what was otherwise a very exciting start to the year. Still, Nebraska rebounded, putting up three back-to-back 197s and catapulting up the regular season rankings. Beam held this team back from its full potential and led to a seventh-place finish at the Big Ten meet, well below the potential on the roster. The Huskers bounced back at regionals for their best finish since 2020.
Losses & Gains
| Returning | In |
| Seniors Genesis Gibson Ayzhia Hall Katie Kuenemann Sophia McClelland Halle Rourke Emma Simpton Emma Spence Lucy Stanhope Juniors Katelyn Barth Emalle Frost Allie Gard Lauren Homecillo Sophomores Olivia Burns Whitney Jencks Jenna Satoretto Isabel Sikon | Freshmen Reese Baker Lauren Hollifield Molly Peterson Transfers Reese Baechle (Lindenwood) Nya Kraus (Lindenwood) |
| Out | |
| Graduated Clara Colombo (UB) Martina Comin (VT, FX) Kinsey Davis (VT, UB) Transferred Csenge Bácskay (AA) Retired Savannah Warren Annie Worley | |
| Injury Update | |
| Lucy Stanhope’s dramatic lower leg injury at the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad took her out for the remainder of the season, but she’s back in grips as of November. | |
Apparatus Deep Dive
Vault
2024 Event Ranking: No. 38 | NQS: 49.125 | Average: 49.025
| Event Overview: Vault was just OK in 2024. It was sometimes inconsistent, and rarely did the Huskers put together a full-hit lineup. Still, the potential was there, and this is an event where the departures of Comin, Davis, and Bácskay will hit hard. Stanhope’s return will soften the blow if she’s healthy enough for the event, as will Baechle, who was a USAG event finalist on vault last year. | ||
| Locks: Emma Spence, Ayzhia Hall | ||
| Contenders: Reese Baechle, Molly Peterson, Isabel Sikon, Lucy Stanhope | ||
| Wildcards: Reese Baker, Lauren Holifield, Sophia McClelland, Nya Kraus |
Bars
2024 Event Ranking: No. 20 | NQS: 49.310 | Average: 49.194
| Event Overview: The Huskers shined on bars. It was consistently one of their best events, highlighting great work from Davis and Colombo. Kraus was a USAG event finalist here last year, and it is freshman Peterson’s signature event. Nebraska should be able to replace the outgoing routines, but it may take time for the newcomers to settle in. | ||
| Locks: Nya Kraus, Molly Peterson, Emma Spence | ||
| Contenders: Reese Baechle, Whitney Jencks, Emma Simpton | ||
| Wildcards: Genesis Gibson, Sophia McClelland |
Beam
2024 Event Ranking: No. 37 | NQS: 49.100 | Average: 48.846
| Event Overview: Beam was a great bugaboo for Nebraska. When the Huskers hit, it could be great, but that was rare. More often, they were counting a major mistake. Shoring up this event would be the single greatest place for them to make strides in 2025. Kraus and Peterson should see lineup time. | ||
| Locks: Ayzhia Hall, Nya Kraus, Sophia McClelland, Molly Peterson, Emma Spence | ||
| Contenders: Isabel Sikon, Lucy Stanhope | ||
| Wildcards: Allie Gard, Emma Simpton |
Floor
2024 Event Ranking: No. 21 | NQS: 49.400 | Average: 49.344
| Event Overview: Floor was a strong event, led by Spence and McClelland. With both back, plus Stanhope hopefully healthy again, there is a strong returning core. Both Raechele and Kraus should factor in as well. | ||
| Locks: Sophia McClelland, Emma Spence | ||
| Contenders: Reese Baechle, Whitney Jencks, Nya Kraus, Molly Peterson, Halle Rourke | ||
| Wildcards: Katie Knuenemann, Lucy Stanhope |
Records Watch
Team: 198.300 | AA: 39.825 | VT: 49.750/10.000 | UB: 49.725/10.000 | BB: 49.675/10.000 | FX: 49.650/10.000
It has been almost a decade since Nebraska set a program record. But it’s not shocking since the Huskers have been rebuilding in recent years. It would be challenging for any of the team records to fall this year, but this squad could get close. McClelland (beam) and Spence (floor) have a chance at adding 10.0s to the individual record mix.
The Big Picture
Nebraska is projected to continue its upward trajectory and slow return to the upper echelons this year. The Huskers should have their sights set on the Sweet Sixteen and the top half of the Big Ten. Stanhope’s health and the inbound transfers should go a long way to soften the blow of some of the big names exiting.
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Article by Emily Minehart
