How good is the gymnastics program at the University of Nebraska? The answer may not impress the gymnastics fans. Especially, the results from this season have not been satisfying so far. So what is it now? Well, the program has claimed three victories and six losses in the Big Ten Conference. A comparison with the UCLA Bruins may show how problematic that result is. If you have no idea about the current standings in the Big Ten Conference right now, then let us tell you the story. The UCLA Bruins have yet to face a defeat in the Conference. Alright, that’s a part of the story. On the other part as well, the Huskers are in deep water as their overall stats stand, at 5 wins and 11 losses. Yet, someone from the camp would make you hear a sweet story. Confused? But the verdict has been delivered!

Yes! That’s Nebraska Gymnastics for you. But what actually happened? This season, the Huskers’ overall gymnastic performance has been disappointing. But a junior from the program isn’t thinking about that. She has gone gaga over the beauty that the University of Nebraska brings with it. Such as?

In the latest YouTube podcast of ‘93.7 The Ticket,’ released two days ago, Huskers’ junior Lauren Homecillo said something heart-touching about the program. She had her university fellow, Emma Spence, with her in the podcast. In the conversation, Lauren said, “This year, I don’t really go home very much. So I’ve only been home. Like once since Christmas.” But why was that? Coming from Papillion, Nebraska, does she have plenty of reasons to do that? Yes, if you’re in one of the best universities near your home, then probably, you can, skip some home visits. And for Lauren, it is the University of Nebraska!

“…nothing compares to this place. It’s beautiful. And all the things they give to us, like life skills, we get free food, we get, like, there’s so many resources given to us that, like, no other school offered,” Lauren subsequently added to back her reason up. Also, the gymnastics phenom has another reason not to go home despite living so close. 

For Lauren Homecillo, staying close to home wasn’t just about convenience—it was about the warmth of familiarity. Her parents could easily make it to her meets, cheering from the stands with unwavering support. But it wasn’t just them. Her ‘homies’—as she fondly called them—had been there every step of the way, making her feel valued in ways that went beyond words. From decorating her locker room to showering her with encouragement, they had transformed her college gymnastics experience into something deeply personal and memorable. Meanwhile, Lauren has also found another heartwarming side to the story. 

Once primarily known for her father, Peter Homecillo, and his vast connections, she had now carved out her own identity. At 21, performing for the Big Red had given her a spotlight that was all her own. Even more special was the sight of her extended family—her cousins, aunts, and uncles—filling the stands at her meet. For Lauren, it wasn’t just about competition but was also about family, about legacy. Her younger cousins, barely three, five, and seven, had no grasp of the technicalities of gymnastics, but they are mesmerized nonetheless whenever they watch Lauren on the mats. The sparkly leotards, the flips, the sheer energy—it works like magic in their eyes!

“I have some really young cousins who are like, three, five, seven, and they love watching the meets and seeing the sparkly Leo,” Lauren said. “They don’t know what gymnastics is, but they love seeing us do like crazy flips, and they’re just in awe.” For her, her college gymnastics seems to have become a ‘home away from home.’

But such fairy-tale experiences are not universal. Consider Lucy Stanhope’s story—an experience shaped by resilience rather than comfort.

Someone had to leave the Huskers’ gymnastics house prematurely 

Unlike Emma and Lauren, Lucy’s journey in collegiate gymnastics was not cushioned by proximity or the presence of familiar faces. A talented gymnast from Warrington, England, she made the bold decision to pursue her career across the Atlantic. Trading the rolling hills of her homeland for the bustling arenas of NCAA gymnastics, she probably had no parents readily available to attend her meets and no childhood friends to decorate her locker room. No little cousins were squealing in the stands, wide-eyed at her daring routines. Instead, her support system must have been built from the ground up, forged through the camaraderie of teammates and the unrelenting pursuit of her dreams. But this dream nurtured in Nebraska Gymnastics was shattered too soon!

Just like Emma and Lauren, the 23-year-old Lucy fell in love with the Nebraska Huskers. She joined the gymnastics camp after spending three years in Utah. Yet, her dream to end her collegiate career on a good note hit rock bottom last year in January. A devastating ankle injury at first kept her off the mat for the entire season. And next, the injury ended her chances of reappearing on the mat, forcing her to call it a day. 

On February 3 this year, Lucy Stanhope shared a detailed post on Instagram announcing her retirement from gymnastics. Much like Emma and Lauren, the emotions echoed in her explanation, and that was, “Being a Husker means so much to me.” For Lucy, every flip, every routine, and every late-night practice must have carried a weight of independence. It was a testament to her perseverance, a reflection of her commitment to a path that required immense sacrifice. While others were embraced by the comfort of home, Lucy had to create her own version of it—one that thrived on inner strength and self-reliance. Well, her story may not have been draped in the same heartwarming familiarity as Emma’s or Lauren’s, but it was no less inspiring. Because sometimes, success isn’t just about having people around—it’s about the courage to stand alone and still soar!