At the 2025 Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Championships on March 22 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Emma Spence turned in a series of remarkable performances, helping the Huskers finish ninth overall with a score of 196.175, Spence’s accomplishments were nothing short of extraordinary, cementing her as one of the top gymnasts in the Big Ten.
Spence’s greatest feat came on the uneven bars, where she not only captured the title in all sessions but also tied her career-high score of 9.975. This was the highest bars score recorded in the Big Ten Championships since 2001 and marked the first bars title for the Huskers since 2015. Spence’s 9.975 was a reflection of her consistent excellence and marked a historic moment for the Nebraska program. Her performance on bars was particularly striking, as she led Nebraska through a strong rotation. Alongside Spence, the Huskers earned a team score of 48.850 on bars, a solid contribution to their overall total. Her performance tied for second place on Nebraska’s all-time individual records, further solidifying her place in Nebraska history. In addition to her bars title, Spence also put together a season-high all-around score of 39.575; the highest for a Nebraska gymnast since Emily Wong in 2013.
Spence’s stellar performances did not go unnoticed. She was named to the Big Ten Conference Championship teams, an honor she shared with teammate Sophia McClelland. Spence’s ranking included first place on bars (9.975) and fourth in the all-around (39.575). Her standout performances in multiple events earned her recognition as one of the meet’s top athletes and among the best in the Big Ten.
While the Big Ten Championships have come to a close for Nebraska, the Huskers will now turn their attention to the NCAA Championships. Spence and her teammates will await the announcement of their regional placement, with the Selection Show scheduled for Monday, March 24. The regional round will take place from April 2-6, with the championship round set for April 17-19 in Fort Worth, Texas. Given Spence’s performance at the Big Ten Championships, Nebraska will be a team to watch in the upcoming NCAA competition.