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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 22 University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team recorded their second conference win of the season over No. 18 Ohio State, 196.175-195.525, on Saturday afternoon in St. John’s Arena.
“I couldn’t be more delighted,” said UI head coach Larissa Libby. “We really came out and showed what we’re capable of tonight. Not many teams win against Ohio State. They just beat Michigan, and they’re a great program with loyal fans, which makes for a tough environment. It felt absolutely awesome to win against a team that amazing.”
The Hawkeyes’ overall score is a season best for the team to replace their previous high of 195.475 against Michigan State on Jan. 15. Eight GymHawks earned a total of fifteen season bests, while the team registered high scores on uneven bars (49.050) and beam (49.375) and tied their season high on floor (49.050) to highlight the competition.
Seniors Lexi Mura, Mollie Drenth, Angel Metcalf, and Savannah Borman, junior Melissa Zurawski, sophomore Misty-Jade Carlson, and freshmen Clair Kaji and Charlotte Sullivan all earned season bests.
Iowa recorded the highest team score of the night on beam with a 49.375 and registered six season bests in the event. All-American Drenth posted her season best and took the event title with a 9.925. Metcalf followed in second with a score of 9.900.
“It all came down to the beam team tonight,” said Libby. “Assistant Coach Jennifer Green has done an amazing job working with them, and I couldn’t be more proud of her and the girls. From top to bottom, it was a team effort. It’s rare that it all comes down to the last rotation. Securing the win required every single one of them to record a season high, and that’s what they did.”
The Hawkeyes tied their season best on floor with a 49.050. Kaji took home her second floor title of the year with a season high of 9.900. Zurawski then registered a 9.875 to finish second.
Iowa tallied another team-high score of 49.050 on uneven bars. Zurawski led the GymHawks with a score of 9.875 for first overall, while Drenth posted a 9.850 to tie for second.
The GymHawks recorded a team score of 48.700 on vault. Sullivan led the Hawkeyes with a season-best 9.800 for the win. Zurawski tallied a 9.775 to follow in second overall.
Iowa returns home on Jan. 29 for another Big Ten matchup against Maryland. The meet is set to begin at 2:00 p.m. (CT) inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.