Feb. 26, 2007
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THIS WEEK — The Iowa men’s gymnastics team travels to Illinois to compete against the Fighting Illini in Champaign, IL, on Saturday. Competition is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at Huff Hall. This marks the second time Iowa competes against Illinois this season. At the six-team, Windy City Invite in January, Illinois placed three spots ahead of Iowa (209.75-198.4).
LAST TIME OUT — At their last home meet of the season, the 11th-ranked Hawkeyes upset the ninth-ranked Cornhuskers, 205.05-204.2. The team scored a team total, 36.8 on rings, which was a school record on the event. Iowa placed first on floor exercise (Geoff Reins, 9.3), pommel horse (Jacob Becker, 8.85), rings (Jacques Bouchard, 9.45) and vault (Curtis Kleffman, 8.7).
LAST YEAR AGAINST ILLINOIS — Iowa fell to Illinois twice last year, 211.85-209.6 and 217.6-214.4. The first time they competed, Iowa dominated on pommel horse, placing in the first three spots. Former Hawkeye, Michael Reavis came in first (8.6), Kleffman came in second (8.550) and Becker was third (8.250). In their second competition, Bouchard won rings (9.45) and Matt Beiler placed second (9.25).
SERIES RESULTS AGAINST ILLINOIS — Iowa is 34-38 all-time, against Illinois.
IOWA’S RECORD — Iowa has a 3-6 record this season and is ranked ninth in this week’s GymInfo National rankings.
HEAD COACH Tom Dunn — In his 28th year at Iowa, Head Coach Tom Dunn, has recorded a 213-100-2 record at Iowa. In 1998 and 2006, Dunn was named Big Ten Coach of the Year and College Gymnastics Association Central Region Coach of the Year. He has led the Hawkeyes to 17 top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships. Iowa has competed at the NCAA meet 17 of the past 22 seasons. Dunn has also coached 32 individuals to 64 all-America honors and 20 gymnasts to 32 Big Ten titles.
QUOTING HEAD COACH Tom Dunn — “I think the Hawkeyes found themselves this past weekend. We know who we are and we know where we need to improve to be competitive at the Big Ten and the NCAA Championships. Beginning with Illinois this weekend, we will meet the top four teams from the 2006 NCAA Championships in the next three weeks and find out exactly where we stand.”
NEXT COMPETITION — The Hawkeyes travel to California to compete against the Stanford Cardinal and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Competition is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. (CT).
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