Jan. 25, 2005
THIS WEEK — The sixth-ranked University of Iowa men’s gymnastics team will travel to West Point, NY, Friday and Saturday to compete in the West Point Open. The team and all-around finals are set to begin at 7:00 p.m. (EST) Friday while the individual finals will begin at 7:00 p.m. (EST) Saturday.
IOWA AT THE WEST POINT OPEN — This will be the fourth appearance for the Hawkeyes at the West Point Open. In 1997, the Hawkeyes took first. Iowa also took third in both 1992 & 1994.
THE COMPETITION — The West Point Open will feature nine ranked teams, led by fifth-ranked Penn State who will be competing for their eighth straight West Point Open title. Army (10th), Temple (11th), Nebraska (12th), Navy (13th), William & Mary (15th), Springfield (16th), James Madison (18th) and MIT round out the competition.
LAST TIME OUT — The Hawkeyes opened their Big Ten season with a loss to the third-ranked Michigan Wolverines on January 16. Michael Reavis led the Hawkeyes with a second-place finish in the all-around (53.625), placing second on floor (9.4), tying for third on vault (9.4) and taking second on horizontal bar (9.4). Michael McNamara was third in the all-around (52.0) and third on floor exercise (9.35) while freshmen Curtis Kleffman took first on pommel horse (9.25) and senior Linas Gaveika was first on horizontal bar (9.425).
NATIONAL RANKINGS — The Iowa men’s gymnastics team is ranked sixth in the GymInfo pre-season Coaches Poll. As a team, the Hawkeyes are ranked in the top ten in all six individual events. Iowa is the third-ranked team on floor exercise, fourth on horizontal bar, fifth on vault and sixth on parallel bars. The Hawkeyes are also ranked eighth on pommel horse and still rings.
NATIONALLY-RANKED INDIVIDUALS — Hawkeye junior Michael Reavis leads the Hawkeyes in the rankings. Reavis is fourth on floor exercise, fifth on horizontal bar and ninth in the all-around. Senior Linas Gaveika is second on horizontal bar, 10th in the all-around and 17th on parallel bars, while junior Michael McNamara is 18th on floor exercise and senior Kenny Lin is seventh on rings. Hawkeye freshman Jacob Becker and Curtis Kleffman are both nationally-ranked on pommel horse. Becker is second while Kleffman is fifth.
HEAD COACH Tom Dunn — Head Coach Tom Dunn is in his 25th year at Iowa. He has compiled a 187-79-2 record. In 1998, Dunn was named Big Ten Coach of the Year and CGA Central Region Coach of the Year. He has led the Hawkeyes to 18 top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships. Iowa has competed at the NCAA meet 18 of the past 21 seasons. Dunn has also coached29 individuals to 58 all-America honors and 19 gymnasts to 31 Big Ten titles.
NEXT COMPETITION — The Hawkeyes will remain on the road, heading to Las Vegas, NV for the Winter Cup Challenge February 4-5.