April 20, 2006

Lincoln, NE (CSTV U-WIRE) -- It's easy to tell when Nebraska finishes an uneven bars routine.

White rosin used to gain better grips on the two metal rods plasters nearby mats as the Cornhusker gymnasts wipe off their hands.

The dusty powder leaves behind one heck of a mess.

However, its performances on the uneven bars have been anything but sloppy this season.

In fact, as the team enters its eighth consecutive NCAA Championships on Thursday, it's the one event where the No. 12 Huskers - who will attempt to qualify for the Super Six Finals on Friday in Corvallis, Ore., beginning at 9 p.m. - have a chance of cleaning house.

``We've been very fortunate this year to be consistent on bars,'' NU Coach Dan Kendig said. ``When we get to meets, we hit the routines and feel good about each one.''

Out of 86 Division I teams, Nebraska tallied a Regional Qualifying Score of 49.12 this season - the sixth-best in the country, and the only event ranking the Huskers inside the top-10. And while NU sits last or second-to-last among the Big 12 Conference's four teams in the balance beam, floor exercise and vault, it holds a burly grip on first-place in the uneven bars.

Like the powdery mess created during the event, Nebraska's dominance on the uneven bars has been hard to overlook.

During the Masters Classic at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in February, sophomore Emily Parsons began the event with a noticeable over-swing that cost Nebraska nearly half-a-point. Freshman Kylie Stone followed by losing her grip in mid-swing and smashing into the mat.

For 10 minutes, Nebraska actually appeared weak on the bars.

However, the next four Huskers followed with routines fit for a national championship.

Junior Michele Zabawa tied her season-best score of 9.90 while redshirt freshman Vanessa Meloche notched a career-high 9.95 and led Nebraska to a total score of 49.1 - their highest event tally of the day despite two botched routines.

``Bars is an event where you can't get overwhelmed too much,'' Meloche said. ``You can't be too excited because then you'll just go all over the place. It's a really controlled event, and that's something I had to learn when I got back from my injuries.''

Meloche - who underwent reconstructive knee surgery and redshirted in 2005 - has returned with a bang, winning six uneven bars titles and leading Nebraska to that No. 6 event ranking.

She said the team spends most of its time in practice polishing specific skills in order to produce a successful routine.

Judges look for strong handstands, good rhythm, straight legs and a solid landing during uneven bar routines - just to a name a few. And because handstands - which require a complete stop and balancing act above the high bar - are the most difficult skill, each Husker must perform seven in a row during practice before moving on to other skills.

The uneven bars is also the one event where multiple All-American Parsons doesn't have to be spectacular in order for NU to succeed.

``The thing Emily brings to the table is consistency in starting us off,'' Kendig said. ``And we know each time she starts we can get anywhere from a 9.7 to a 9.8, and that's a good start for our team.''

It's the only event Parsons hasn't dominated during her young, illustrious career, and it's the only event she won't have to as Nebraska takes the floor at 1 p.m. today as it makes another bid for an NCAA title.

Instead, the Huskers will get their spark from the entire rotation, whether it's young Meloche or veteran Zabawa, and spotless performances on the uneven bars will be vital is Nebraska's championship run.

``We're really strong on bars,'' Meloche said. ``I think we just need to hit our handstands and stick our landings - and show it off. That's going to be one of the biggest things - just showing it off.''

(C) 2006 Daily Nebraskan via CSTV U-WIRE