April 2, 2004
CHAMPAIGN, IL – The sixth-ranked Iowa men’s gymnastics team (8-6 overall, 3-4 Big Ten) failed to qualify for the NCAA team Championship Finals, placing fourth (216.9) in Session I of the NCAA Qualifier. The top three teams from each session advance to the finals. The Hawkeyes finished behind No. 3 Penn State (218.7), No. 7 Michigan (218.45), and No. 2 Oklahoma (217.75), but ahead of No. 9 Illinois-Chicago (207.775) and No. 12 Army (207.675). Eight Hawkeyes advanced to the individual event qualifier that will be held Saturday evening at 7 p.m. in Assembly Hall in Champaign, IL. The top eight competitors from Saturday evenings’ qualifier will earn the chance to compete in the individual event finals Sunday at 2 p.m.
Junior Linas Gaveika and sophomore Michael Reavis finished third (52.825) and fifth (52.05), respectively, in the all-around competition, each earning a spot in the all-around qualifier held Saturday evening. Gaveika also took fourth (9.575) on pommel horse, while Reavis placed second on vault with a University of Iowa record-breaking and personal season-best score of 9.525.
Senior Eric Block and sophomore Michael McNamara each advanced to the individual event qualifier in two events. As he’s done all year, Block put up strong performances on both pommel horse and parallel bars. He took third on pommel horse with an Iowa and individual season-best score of 9.625. Block also finished in a tie for fifth on parallel bars (8.850). McNamara performed well on parallel bars, tying for ninth with a score of 8.8. He also took 12th on horizontal bar (8.8).
Other Hawkeye qualifiers were junior Shawn Stone on floor exercise (6th, 9.3), senior Mike Kelly on pommel horse (5th, 9.5), freshman Matt Beiler (15th, 9.15) on vault and senior Matt Metzger (8th, 8.8) on parallel bars.
“The Hawkeyes had a rough start; our first three events were shaky. We finished strong but it was not enough to qualify for the finals. Team-wise, it was very disappointing. Had we done what we were capable of, we would have qualified fairly easily. We did have many individuals qualify and we’re hopeful they will be able to perform well and make it into the individual finals on Sunday,” commented Head Coach Tom Dunn.
Team and all-around finals, as well as individual event qualifying will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday. The top eight individuals on each event will compete in the Individual Event Championships Sunday at 2 p.m. All competition will be held at Assembly Hall.