The ISU gymnastics team got its wish Saturday, hitting all six routines on the bars to begin the Big 12 Championships, but three falls on the balance beam doomed the squad’s chances for a conference title.

The Cyclones placed fourth — out of four teams — at the meet.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers won their third straight Big 12 Championship title with a final score of 197.50, as they defeated No. 6 Oklahoma (197.025), No. 25 Missouri (196.700) and No. 13 Iowa State (195.700) at the Hearnes Center in Columbia, Mo.

The Cyclones began on the bars and were in second place after scoring 49.25 in the event.

“We did what we wanted to do all year, and that was hit six-for-six on the bars. We hadn’t done it in competition,” Kindler said. “Bars got us off to a good start for the meet. We are very happy with that.”

Their next even was the balance beam. But the falls led to a score of 48.125 on the event and dropped the Cyclones to fourth.

“Our beam performance was due to a lack of confidence. Our two best performers at the end had troubles,” Kindler said. “Erin [Dethloff] had a fall on the event. She hasn’t been having problems with anything, but it was a big meet with big nerves. The fall put pressure on the last two girls. They are our best on the event and we expect them to be able to handle that better.”

Following beam, the team moved on to the floor exercise which Kindler described as “flat.”

“Coming off of beam, the team had the knowledge that the opportunity to finish high and score high is gone,” Kindler said.

Nebraska was led by junior Richelle Simpson, who took first-place in the all-around competition for the second year in a row with a final score of 39.80. She also took first on vault, floor exercise and balance beam. Simpson was named Big 12 Gymnast of the Year.

Cyclone freshman Erin Dethloff was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. Dethloff is the fourth Cyclone in the history of the program to win the honor. The last was Betsy Hamm, who won it in 2000.

“All the coaches felt that hands down, Erin was the best candidate. Erin has been a great all-around competitor for us all year,” Kindler said.

“The coaches felt there weren’t many other candidates who were as important to their team as Erin was to ours. The magnitude of her contribution to our team was great.”

Dethloff placed seventh in the all-around Saturday with a score of 39.050. She finished in a tie for fourth on the uneven bars with a score of 9.925. Kindler said a fluke fall on beam hurt Dethloff’s chances at an all-around medal.

Sophomore Abigail Richey scored a 9.90 on vault which was good enough to put her in a four-way tie for first.

“I’m real proud of Abigail being co-champion,” Kindler said. “She’s only been doing that vault for four meets and she did an excellent job.”

Junior Chee Chee Calina tied for third on the beam with a score of 9.90. Dethloff and freshman Kacey Oiness both scored 9.90 on the floor to tie for sixth place. Oiness matched her career high on the event. “Kacey had an excellent floor routine,” Kindler said.

Kindler said she is still optimistic about their next postseason meet. The third-year coach is still waiting to find out where her team will be headed for regionals in two weeks.

She said it looks like they could be headed to Michigan for a meet with Penn State, Arizona State and Michigan. The Cyclones would be seeded third at that meet.

“After every down meet, we been able to come back with a good meet,” Kindler said. “It won’t be an easy meet, but everyone will put in 100 percent.”