Jan. 20, 2004
This Week: The sixth-ranked Iowa women’s gymnastics squad will host the 23rd-ranked Michigan Wolverines Saturday on the main floor of the Field House at 2 p.m. Admission is $3.
The Wolverines: The Michigan Wolverines are ranked 23rd, along with Oregon State. The Wolverines are 1-1 after a loss at Nebraska and a win at Minnesota. Michigan returns all its athletes from last season. The Wolverines are looking to the leadership of Elise Ray, Calli Ryals and Jenny Deiley.
Last Year Against the Wolverines: The GymHawks met the Wolverines last season during the Big Ten Championships. Iowa placed second behind Michigan by sixth-tenths of a point. Iowa and Michigan had co-champions on bars and floor, and the Wolverines also had a champion on the beam.
Michigan Makes Infrequent Trip to Iowa City: When the Hawkeyes host the Wolverines on Saturday, it will be the first time in nine years. The last time Michigan traveled to Iowa City was January 29, 1995.
Records Continue to Be Smashed: The Hawkeyes broke the school record on floor against Iowa State last weekend with a score of 49.55. The previous record of 49.375 was set in 2002 against Minnesota. Individually, Alexis Maday tied the school record for floor (9.975) and all-around (39.65).
Noteworthy Against Iowa State: The GymHawks had a team total of 196.725, the second-best score in school history. The current record is 196.8, which was accomplished last season at Illinois. Alexis Maday and Stephanie Gran finished 1-2 in the all-around competition. Maday placed first on bars and floor, and Gran placed first on vault. Freshman Beth Dilick tied for second on the bars, scoring a 9.85.
In The Rankings: Iowa moves up to sixth in the GymInfo Poll, tied with Arizona. The Hawkeyes were previously ranked 12th. The GymHawks are also ranked on all four individual events. Iowa is second on floor, 13th on bars, tied for 16th on vault and tied for 19th on beam.
Gran and Maday Ranked: The GymHawks have two individuals ranked in the latest GymInfo poll. Senior Alexis Maday is ranked fourth in the all-around, tied for second on beam and floor, and tied for 17th on vault. Senior Stephanie Gran is tied for sixth in the all-around, tied for sixth on vault and tied for fourth on floor.
Quoting Coach Lorenzen: “Michigan has been the class of the Big Ten in women’s gymnastics for as long as I can remember and we’re very excited to host the Wolverines this weekend. We were neck and neck with them at the Big Ten Championships last year. I think we’ll be able to give them a very fun challenge in the Field House that should be an interesting preview of this year’s conference championships.”