Feb. 23, 2004
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
This Week: The 12th-ranked Iowa women’s gymnastics squad will host its final home meet of the season Friday against Minnesota Friday. Competition will begain at 7 p.m. on the Main Deck of the Field House.
The Gophers: The Gophers are 5-6 this season. They have wins over West Virginia, Illinois-Chicago, Gustavus, Hamline and Winona State. Losses for Minnesota were against UCLA, Utah, Iowa State, Michigan, Penn State and Arkansas. Top performers for the Gophers are Laura Johnson and Mary Skokut.
Seniors Bid Farewell: Four seniors will bid farewell at Friday’s competition. Stephanie Gran, Brandy Killian, Alexis Maday and Nicole Wong have all impacted the GymHawks squad and will compete for the last time at home.
Stephanie Gran has received a perfect 10 on vault three times in her college career. She has been honored as Big Ten Gymnast of the Week on four occasions, including twice this season. Gran was crowned co-Big Ten Champion on floor last season, and on vault her freshman season.
Brandy Killian has helped the GymHawks on floor and bars. During her freshman year, Killian competed in eight all-around competitions. Her career high on bars is a 9.9 and on floor 9.875.
Alexis Maday has been a leader for the Hawkeyes since she arrived. Maday has set three school records (bars, floor and all-around). She has been chosen as Big Ten Gymnast of the Week seven times, including three times this season. Maday is a two-time all-American, three-time all-Big Ten and was 2001 Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
Nicole Wong has been a strong presence on bars and beam. She has competed on both events at every meet this season. Her career highs include a 9.875 on beam, accomplished last weekend, and a 9.9 on bars.
Beam Record Broken: Iowa set a new school beam record last weekend. The GymHawks posted a 49.425 against Illinois State and Illinois-Chicago. The previous record was 49.35, at Southern Utah in 2003 and at Illinois in 2001.
Six Records Broken This Season: The GymHawks have broken six school records this year. All team records except for bars have been bested. Individual records that have been broken include the all-around and bars, while the floor record has been tied twice this season.
Last Weekend Notes: Iowa topped Illinois-Chicago and Illinois State, scoring a 195.8. Stephanie Gran won the all-around and floor crowns and finished second on bars and beam. Alexis Maday won bars and beam, and tied for second on vault. On beam, Nicole Wong and Danielle Legeai tied for third. Annie Rue tied for second in the all-around.
In The Rankings: Iowa is 12th in the latest GymInfo Poll. The GymHawks are ranked on all four individual events. Iowa is 11th on vault and bars, 13th on floor and 16th on beam. The rankings changed formats to be based on regional qualifying score this week. This is determined by taking the top six scores during the regular dual meet season, including at least three away meets. The top score is dropped and the remaining five are averaged.
Three Individuals Ranked: The GymHawks have three individuals ranked in the GymInfo poll. Alexis Maday is tied for third on bars and is 12th on beam and 15th on vault. Stephanie Gran is ranked 10th in the all-around. Kortny Williamson is tied for 20th on vault.
Big Ten Rankings: Iowa is ranked first in the Big Ten Conference by regional qualifying average. The GymHawks are also ranked first on vault and bars, and second on beam and floor. On vault, Alexis Maday is ranked first, Kortny Williamson is third, Stephanie Gran is fifth, Annie Rue is 15th and Liz Grajewski is 17th. Maday is also ranked first on bars and beam, while Gran is third in the all-around and on floor.
Quoting Coach Lorenzen: “Minnesota brings a great tradition of success and class to the competitive floor. Since this is the last time local fans will get to see our seniors compete at home, we’re hoping for another great fan turnout. This will give the Class of 2004 the recognition and gratitude they deserve for putting our program on the national map.”