Gymnastics is a sport of elegance, grit, and defying gravity—but sometimes, even the strongest athletes can’t outmaneuver fate. For Nebraska Huskers senior standing at 5-6, the journey that saw her soar to incredible heights has come to an unexpected and heartbreaking halt. A decorated gymnast with championship pedigree, the Warrington, England native’s time on the mat has ended far sooner than anyone expected, casting a somber cloud over Nebraska’s gymnastics program.

The 23YO, Lucy Stanhope, joined the Nebraska Huskers after spending three seasons at Utah. Stanhope helped Utah to a third-consecutive Pac-12 title and the third-consecutive third-place finish at the NCAA Championships. Only today on Instagram, she had to untimely announce her retirement, citing a devastating ankle injury suffered in January. With a heartfelt post that celebrated her time in the sport, Stanhope reflected on her love for gymnastics, saying, “Being a Husker means so much to me.”

After competing in just two meets for Nebraska in the 2024 season, her career came to an abrupt close following the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad on January 12, 2024. The 2023 Utah transfer, was already proving her worth for the Utah, posting season-highs hitting 22-of-22 routines on the floor. She scored a career-high 9.95 on vault against UCLA in 2022. Though her time in competition has ended, Stanhope leaves behind a legacy of perseverance and excellence, from her Utah days to Nebraska’s Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll in 2023-2024.

The injury, which occurred during the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad last year, necessitated another surgery, ultimately sidelining her for the remainder of the season. “I recently ended up having another surgery to solve some issues, meaning I will not compete this season,” she conveyed to her followers. Before this setback, Stanhope had showcased her prowess in just two meets for the Nebraska Huskers. Notably, she achieved season-high scores of 9.825 on vault and 9.850 on floor during a meet against Iowa State on January 5, 2024. These performances underscored her potential to be a pivotal contributor to the team’s aspirations.

Stanhope’s gymnastics journey is marked by resilience and excellence. Prior to her time at Nebraska, she was a member of the Great Britain National Team and earned a silver medal with Team England at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Her collegiate career began at the University of Utah, where as a freshman in 2021, she competed in every meet on vault, contributing to the Utes’ Pac-12 title and a third-place finish at the NCAA Championships. Over three seasons with Utah, she hit 61 out of 64 routines, a testament to her consistency and skill.

Transitioning to Nebraska Huskers Women’s gymnastics, Lucy Stanhope continued to excel academically and athletically. She was named to the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll and the Tom Osborne Citizenship Team in 2024. Her dedication extended beyond the gym as she pursued a degree in psychology, reflecting a commitment to personal growth alongside athletic achievement.

As the season progresses, coming off a loss to Michigan last week, Nebraska Huskers will need to rally, with other team members stepping up to fill the gap. While her competitive career has concluded, Stanhope’s legacy of perseverance and excellence will undoubtedly inspire her teammates and future Huskers. As she concludes her message for them, “I will still be excited waking up to waking up everyday to cheer for my teammates as they are a special part of my journey.”

Huskers had a mixed bag of season last year and that seems to have continued this season as well.

Nebraska Huskers women’s gymnastics had a mixed season

The loss of Stanhope leaves a glaring hole, but Huskers’ life goes on. The Nebraska Huskers women’s gymnastics team (1-6, 0-1 Big Ten) entered ready to flip, twist, and soar in front of a home crowd for the first time this season. On Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, the Huskers took on the Maryland Terrapins (2-3, 0-1 Big Ten) at the Devaney Center in Lincoln, hoping to turn the tide after a tough start to the season.

While Nebraska came up short in its Big Ten opener against Illinois on Jan. 18, the team still had plenty to celebrate. The Huskers racked up five career-best scores and three event titles, showing serious promise for the rest of the season.

Sophia McClelland dazzled on the floor with a career-high 9.925, while Whitney Jencks (9.875), Isabel Sikon (9.800 on bars), and Emalee Frost (9.775 on bars) also notched personal bests. McClelland wasn’t done there—she also claimed the beam title outright with a 9.850. Meanwhile, Emma Spence delivered a clutch 9.900 on bars to split the title. With confidence-building performances like these, Nebraska is primed to put on a show at home.