Pressure.

For most people, the mere mention of the word makes shoulders slump with the weight of a heavy burden.

For ISU gymnastics coach Jay Ronayne, it incites images of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Ronayne hates to admit it, but he’s nervous heading into Friday’s meet with the fifth-ranked Huskers (4-1, 0-0 Big 12).

“I wish I could say no, but it does [make me nervous].” he said. “I don’t want [my team] focused on beating Nebraska . I want them focused on their performance.”

One of the strongest rivalries in college gymnastics, No. 6 Iowa State (4-0, 0-0 Big 12) faced Nebraska five times last season, with each encounter increasing in pressure.

First, there was the season-opening Super Six Challenge, in which the Huskers beat the Cyclones for second place by a mere .050.

Next, Iowa State defeated Nebraska in Ames before a record crowd of 3,141 fans as part of Iowa State’s first “Beauty and the Beast” event, which featured the ISU gymnastics and wrestling teams simultaneously battling Nebraska.

Third, in perhaps the biggest dual meet victory in ISU history, the Cyclones defeated Nebraska 196.250-196.125, in Lincoln, Neb. With the win, Iowa State became the first team in a whopping 13 years to beat the Huskers on their home turf.

Three weeks later, the Cyclones found themselves in Lincoln, Neb., once again for the Big 12 Championships. Iowa State was losing going into the fourth rotation, but a season-best team performance on the floor exercise helped the Cyclones overtake Nebraska’s lead to win the competition.

Nebraska’s only measure of revenge came during the NCAA Super Six finals, where the Huskers took fifth place to Iowa State’s sixth.

When it comes to competing against Nebraska, Ronayne freely admits his team is feeling pressure to match the expectations they set last season.

“They feel a huge responsibility to live up to that reputation that they’ve developed for themselves,” he said. “It’s a heavy burden.”

The gymnasts, however, unsurprisingly say they are focusing on their own performances and not their opponents’.

“You can’t think in terms of pressure,” senior Ashley Alden said. “You don’t think about who your opponent is because we’re competing against ourselves in the long run.”

Coming off a winning – but unfulfilling – performance against No. 15 Minnesota last weekend, the Cyclones intensified practice this week to prepare themselves for their first Big 12 dual meet of the season.

Senior Janet Anson said her team has been intently focused on cleaning up mistakes that plagued early season routines.

“We’ve been working really hard this week to improve the little things – pointed toes, little wobbles here and there and just overall presence – from the last meet,” she said. Despite any concerns he has about facing the Huskers, Ronayne is quick to put out that Friday’s meet should be one of the most even of the year.

“I think we’re a match head-to-head,” he said. “As long as both teams are full strength and everyone is healthy, we’re an even match.