Hawkeyes Top Spartans for First Big Ten Win of the Season

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IOWA CITY, Iowa – The No. 24 University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team earned its first conference win of the season against Michigan State, 195.475-193.875, inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Friday.
“I am ecstatic,” said UI head coach Larissa Libby.” I’m very pleased with how the team performed, because we had a lot of questions coming in. We tried some different things tonight, and it was a huge step forward from where we were even five days ago at Northern Illinois.

“The team is young, but they are putting up big scores where the judges are having a hard time focusing in and trying to find deductions. Their demeanor was very different tonight than what it was five days ago, and I think that it’s going to make a big difference.”

The GymHawks earned a total of 15 top-five event finishes and five champion titles to highlight the competition.

In the all-around, freshman Charlotte Sullivan finished at the top of the podium with a 39.050 for the first all-around win of her collegiate career. Senior Mollie Drenth followed in third with a 38.500.

Iowa started the night on vault, where they posted a 48.925. Drenth and sophomore Rose Piorkowki led the GymHawks with scores of 9.850 to tie for first. Junior Melissa Zurawki followed in third overall with a career high of 9.775, while Sullivan and sophomore Maria Ortiz both recorded scores of 9.725, respectively.

Zurawski led the charge on uneven bars for the Hawkeyes, as she tallied a 9.875 for second overall and tie her personal best. Sullivan and junior Lanie Snyder each registered scores of 9.750, while Drenth and senior Angel Metcalf both recorded scores of 9.725 to give the Hawkeyes an event total of 48.775.

Metcalf and freshman Clair Kaji tied for the win on beam with scores of 9.850 to lead Iowa to an event total of 48.725. Sullivan followed with a score of 9.775, while senior Savannah Borman posted a 9.700.

Iowa closed the night on floor with a score of 49.050. Zurawski finished second overall for the Hawkeyes with a 9.850. Kaji followed closely behind her teammate, as she tallied a 9.825 to tie for third overall. Sullivan and Snyder tied for fourth with scores of 9.800.

The GymHawks return to action on Sunday when they host the No. 13 California-Berkeley Golden Bears. The meet is slated to begin at 2 p.m. (CT) inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday, fans will be able to purchase hot dogs for only $1 during Hot Dog Happy Hour. Kids Zone will also be available for young Hawkeye fans prior to the meet. After the meet, the GymHawks will sign autographs for fans.