NEBRASKA’S NATIONAL POWER
Nebraska competed at the highest levels across the board in 2013-14, producing top-25
national finishes in 14 of its 24 varsity sports. Nebraska was one of only two NCAA Division I
schools to advance to the NCAA Championships in the six major team sports of men’s and women’s
basketball, baseball and softball, women’s soccer and women’s volleyball, while also playing in a
football bowl game. The Huskers won NCAA Tournament games in five of those sports, while also
winning their bowl game, a feat no other school in the country matched in 2013-14.
In addition to the success of Husker teams, Nebraska produced its most All-Americans in more
than a decade with 42 student-athletes capturing national honors across all sports in 2013-14.
Nebraska’s 42 All-Americans included 29 first-team award winners in their respective sports, led
by 2014 NCAA 400-meter hurdles champion Miles Ukaoma. The Big Red’s All-Americans came
from 17 U.S. states, including eight from the Cornhusker State, and three foreign countries to
claim a total of 51 All-America awards.
Not only did the Huskers enjoy success across many fields of competition, Nebraska fans
supported the Big Red in record numbers as the volleyball (1st), football (9th), women’s
basketball (11th), men’s basketball (13th), baseball (15th) and softball programs all ranked
among the nation’s top 20 in attendance. The football (333) and volleyball (200) also carried
NCAA sellout streaks into their 2014 seasons.
The Nebraska football program notched its sixth consecutive nine-win season by defeating
Georgia in the Gator Bowl. The Big Red closed the season with a 9-4 record and finished at No. 25
in the USA Today Coaches Top 25. Coach Tim Miles claimed Big Ten Coach- of-the-Year honors in
his second season at Nebraska by leading the Huskers to their first NCAA Tournament appearance
since 1998. Coach Darin Erstad led the Nebraska baseball team to the NCAA Tournament in his
third season at his alma mater. The former Major League All-Star and Gold Glove winner guided
the Huskers to a 41-21 record and runner-up finishes in the Big Ten regular season and at the
tournament held at TD Ameritrade Park.
Coach John Cook’s traditionally powerful volleyball program marched to the NCAA Elite Eight
and finished No. 7 nationally in the AVCA Top 25. The Huskers featured Big Ten Player of the Year
and first-team AVCA All-America outside hitter Kelsey Robinson. Connie Yori claimed Big Ten
Coach-of-the-Year honors for the second straight season while leading the women’s basketball
program to its first conference tournament title. The Huskers advanced to the NCAA Tournament
second round and finished No. 13 in the final AP rankings behind Big Ten Player of the Year and
first-team WBCA All-America forward Jordan Hooper.
John Walker added Big Ten Coach-of-the-Year honors of his own for leading the Nebraska soccer
program back to prominence. The Huskers swept the Big Ten regular-season and tournament
crowns before advancing to the second round of the 2013 NCAA Tournament while finishing 13th
in the final NSCAA Top 25. Jordan Jackson was named the Big Ten Midfielder of the Year, while
Ari Romero captured Big Ten Defender-of-the-Year honors. Big Ten Coach of the Year Rhonda
Revelle led the Husker softball team to an NCAA Super Regional for the second straight year after
sharing the Big Ten regular-season title and finishing 17th in the final national rankings. The
Huskers featured first-team All-America catcher Taylor Edwards and her twin sister, third-team
All-America pitcher Tatum Edwards.
The traditional national power Husker bowling team took second at the NCAA Championships
with first-team All-American Lizabeth Kuhlkin leading the way for Coach Bill Straub’s team. Great
America Rifle Conference Coach of the Year Stacy Underwood led the Huskers to a fifth-place
finish at the NCAA Championships with young All-Americans Lauren Phillips, Denise Martin and
Rachel Martin leading the way.
One of the greatest women’s gymnasts in Nebraska history, Emily Wong powered Coach Dan
Kendig’s squad to the NCAA Super Six. Wong finished her career as an 11-time All-American by
capturing three All-America awards in 2014. The Big Ten Gymnast of the Year was also the AAI
Award winner as the nation’s top gymnast. The women’s outdoor track and field team capped
the season with a 19th-place finish at the NCAA Championships thanks to first-team All-America
performances by Maggie Malone (Javelin), Jazmin McCoy (Long Jump) and Ellie Ewere (Triple
Jump).
Coach Chuck Chmelka’s men’s gymnastics team took eighth at the NCAA Championships behind
a first-team All-America performance in the all-around from Wyatt Aycock. Coach Mark Manning
guided the wrestling team to an outstanding season. The Husker wrestlers finished 11th at the
NCAA Championships with All-Americans James Green (3rd, 157) and Robert Kokesh (4th, 174)
leading the way.
Nebraska capped its 2013-14 campaign by receiving the top individual performance of the year
from senior hurdler Miles Ukaoma at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Ukaoma
raced to the 2014 NCAA title in the 400-meter hurdles to help the Husker men take 12th as a
team at the outdoor championships. Coach Gary Pepin’s squad also tied for 17th at the NCAA
Indoor Championships. Overall, eight Husker men’s track and field athletes captured first-team
All-America honors.
A unanimous All-Big Ten pick in 2013-14, Terran Petteway led the conference in scoring at 18.1 points per
game. Petteway and the revitalized Huskers made their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1998,
while ranking among the nation's best in attendance.
Jordan Hooper capped her illustrious career by becoming just the third Husker to earn first-team WBCA
All-America honors. The Alliance, Neb., native set a school record with 295 three-pointers, while finishing
second in points (2,357) and rebounds (1,110).
This is Nebraska
History Review Opponents
2015 Huskers Staff & Coaches INtro
2015 Nebraska Women’s Gymnastics
//////////////
96
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\