Jan. 23, 2006
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
This Week
The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team will host Iowa State, Saturday, in a meet designed to bring more awareness to Breast Cancer. The “Think Pink” competetition will benefit Breast Cancer Awareness, and fifty percent of ticket proceeds will go toward the cause. Competition is set to begin at 7p.m. at the FieldHouse.
Last Competition
The Hawkeyes competed at LSU last weekend, losing 195.025-191.100. Top performances by Iowa included Beth Dilick on vault with a 9.80, Katie Burke on bars with a 9.70, Danielle Legeai on beam with a 9.725, and Liz Grajewski on floor with a 9.700. In addition, Liz Grajewski posted a 38.525 all-around score for a third place finish.
Scouting the Hawkeyes
Iowa returns 10 letterwinners from last year when it finished with an 8-14 overall record and a sixth-place finish at the BigTen Championships. Iowa adds three new members to the team for the 2006 season. Brandi Loffer, from Corona, CA, Kara Pinjuv, from Reno, NV, and Jennifer Simbhudas, from Markham, Ontario.
Head Coach Larissa Libby
Iowa Head Coach Larissa Libby begins her second season as head coach for the Hawkeyes. In her first year, Libby recorded an 8-14 record in 2005. Before becoming head coach, Libby was Iowa’s associate head coach for one year and an assistant coach for three seasons. While associate head coach, Libby led the GymHawks to a school record 49.425 beam performance in 2004. In addition, in 2004 the GymHawks recorded a 49.0 or higher seven times on beam under Libby’s guidance.
Quoting Assistant Coach Talya Vexler
“Our team is excited for this meet because it is our home opener, along with the fact that we will be wearing the same leotards as Iowa State. It’s in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness. We look to improve upon our past two performances. In front of a home crowd is a great place to accomplish our goals.”
Next Competition
The Hawkeyes will travel to Morgantown, WV, Sunday, February 5th to compete at West Virginia University.