Jan. 12, 2004
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This Week: The 12th-ranked Iowa women’s gymnastics squad will host the sixth-ranked Iowa State Cyclones Saturday on the main floor of the Field House at 7 p.m. Admission is $3.
Cyclones: Iowa State finished last year ranked 13th, with a 6-8 overall record. Freshman Erin Dethloff competed at the NCAA Championships in the all-around and returns for the Cyclones this year. Of last year’s 24 routines, 20 are back. Additionally, Iowa State boasts six newcomers.
Cyclones Lead Series: The Cyclones and Hawkeyes have met 55 times. Iowa State leads the series 35-20.
Last Year Against the Cyclones: The GymHawks competed against Iowa State twice last season. Iowa traveled to Ames and lost to the Cyclones. Alexis Maday had two first-place finishes, while Annie Rue won the all-around. At the second meeting, Iowa won in Iowa City. Maday tied for first on vault with Kortny Williamson. Maday also won bars and took the all-around.
Season Kicked Off at Cancun: Iowa began its 2004 campaign with the Cancun Invitational at Cancun, Mexico. The GymHawks finished second while the Washington Huskies took first. Oklahoma came in third, and Texas Woman’s University finished fourth. Alexis Maday dominated the competition, taking three individual titles and the all-around. Maday also tied career bests on the uneven bars and all-around.
Season-Opening Record Broken in 2004: In the GymHawks’ season opener at the Cancun Invitational, Iowa broke its season-opening record by more than two points. The previous record of 193.25 was shattered by the new total of 195.35.
Gymnasts Begin Season By Breaking Career Records: Several Iowa gymnasts broke or tied career records at the Cancun Invitational. Sophomore Kortny Williamson tied for sixth on beam with a career-high 9.825. Liz Grajewski scored a 9.875 on floor, tying her career-best and finishing tied for fifth. Additionally, Alexis Maday tied her career-bests on bars and all-around.
GymHawks Welcome New Addition: Freshman Romina Mazzoni will join the GymHawks at the beginning of the spring semester. Mazzoni is a transfer from the University of Oklahoma. Her most recent accomplishments include a bronze medal in the most recent Pan American Games. Mazzoni will have an immediate impact on the uneven bars.
Maday Earns Gymnast of Week Honor: Senior Alexis Maday was selected as the first Big Ten Gymnast of the Week after her strong performance at the Cancun Invitational. Maday placed first on vault (9.9), beam (9.875), floor (9.925) and all-around (39.65). Maday’s all-around score tied the school record, previously set by her. Maday also finished second on bars with a career-tying 9.95. It’s the fifth time Maday has been named Big Ten Gymnast of the Week.
In the Rankings: Iowa remains 12th in the latest GymInfo Poll, tied with Missouri. The ranking is the GymHawks highest in school history.
Quoting Lorenzen: “We’re very excited to open our home season against our in-state rivals. Iowa State has a very talented team this year and they’re always really well-coached so we’re expecting a terrific competition.”