Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2016-17 | Hawk Talk Monthly — March 2017 | Final Results
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The No. 16 University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team finished third at the 2017 Big Ten Championships with a score of 196.725 inside the Rutgers Athletic Center on Saturday afternoon. The score marked their highest at the championships in Big Ten history, improving from its previous high of 196.500 in 2015.
The Hawkeyes took third overall and third in the night session of the championships against Michigan, Illinois, Nebraska, Ohio State, and Penn State. Michigan captured the Big Ten title with a score of 197.300, while Illinois finished runner-up with a 196.875.
In addition to Iowa’s record score, four GymHawks received individual conference awards. Senior Mollie Drenth and Angel Metcalf were named to the All-Championship Team for the third consecutive year and junior Lanie Snyder received her first such honor, while sophomore Nicole Chow collected the Sportsmanship Award.
After leading the GymHawks to a 7-2 conference record and third-place regular season finish, head coach Larissa Libby was also named Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year.
Nine GymHawks tallied a total of 12 top 20 finishes to highlight the competition. Drenth took the only title on beam with a 9.925. Metcalf finished runner-up on bars (9.900), fourth on beam (9.900), fifth in the all-around (39.375), and eighth on vault (9.850).
Iowa registered its highest score of the night on beam with a season-high 49.400. Drenth tied for the win in the event with a score of 9.925. Metcalf and freshman Clair Kaji followed tied for fourth overall with scores of 9.900. Junior Nikki Youd tied for 10th with a 9.850, while senior Lexi Mura tallied a 9.825 to tie for 19th
The Hawkeyes posted a score of 49.150 on uneven bars. Metcalf led the way for Iowa with a score of 9.900 to finish runner-up in the event. Snyder followed with a season-high 9.850 to tie for ninth overall. Kaji, Mura, and freshman Charlotte Sullivan tied for 21st with scores of 9.800.
Iowa earned a 49.100 on floor. Snyder had the best finish for Iowa, as she tied for fifth overall with a score of 9.900. Junior Melissa Zurawski tied for 16th with a score of 9.850, while Drenth tied for 24th with a 9.825.
The Hawkeyes recorded a score of 49.075 on vault. Metcalf and sophomore Maria Ortiz earned scores of 9.50 to tie for eighth overall. Drenth and freshman Charlotte Sulliivan followed in 21st with scores of 9.800.
The NCAA Regional selection show is on Monday at competition on Monday 3 p.m. (CT).
36 teams, chosen based on their regional qualifying score and seeded by the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Committee, will compete in the NCAA Regionals. 24 all-around competitors and 48 individual event specialists (all of whom are not on a qualifying team) will compete as well.
Big Ten Championship Finishes:
1 – Michigan (197.300)
2 – Illinois (196.875)
3 – Iowa (196.725)
4- Nebraska (196.475)
5 – Ohio State (195.525)
6 (t) – Michigan State (195.200)
6 (t) – Penn State (195.200)
8 – Minnesota (195.175)
9 – Rutgers (194.700)
10 – Maryland (193.625)