The No. 7 Huskers are among the top teams nationally in vault (ranked fourth) and parallel bars (fifth). That was expected.
But NU's scores on rings are just as strong. The Huskers rank seventh nationally in the event.
"I figured that (ranking) on parallel bars, but that's way better than I thought on rings," Chmelka said.
NU was ranked 12th on still rings last year.
Another encouraging sign for the Huskers is they've been without two rings specialists in Joshua Everitt and Brenon Sommers, who have been slowed by injuries.
"We get thoses guys going, we'll be in really, I think, pretty good shape on rings, so that's a nice surprise," Chmelka said.