Jan. 22, 2008
This Week
The 24th-ranked University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team will open its home season, facing No. 22 Illinois, Friday. Competition will take place at Carver-Hawkeye arena and is set to begin at 7 p.m. Admission is $3 for general admission, $2 for groups of 15 or more, and there is no admission for UI students or people under the age of 18.
Iowa Vs. Illinois On The Tube
The Big Ten Network is airing the meet, which will be replayed January 29 at 8 p.m. The announcers for the meet will be Jim Kelly and Mary Lee Tracy.
Last Competition
Jen Simbhudas earned three event titles as well as the all-around title against Central Michigan. On vault, Simbhudas earned the win with a 9.775 and placed first on bars and floor with scores of 9.825 and 9.8, respectively.
On vault, junior Kara Pinjuv earned a 9.725 to place third. On bars, the Hawkeyes claimed four of the top six spots. Katie Burke and Ally Zipse tied for third with a 9.75. Pinjuv earned a fourth-place finish with a 9.725.
Houry Gebeshian had an impressive third-place performance on beam, earning a 9.725. On the floor exercise, Iowa claimed the top five spots. Finishing second behind Simbhudas, Pinjuv earned a 9.75 and Kristen Ward placed third with a 9.7. In the all-around, the Hawkeyes claimed the top two spots with Simbhudas finishing first and Pinjuv second (38.875).
The Hawkeyes
Iowa is ranked 24th nationally with a 3-2 record, while Simbhudas is ranked third in the Big Ten all-around with an average 39.037. Iowa’s high team total in 2008 is 193.625 thus far.
Head Coach Larissa Libby
In her first three years as Iowa Head Coach, Larissa Libby recorded a 20-42 record. Before becoming head coach, Libby was Iowa’s associate head coach for one year and an assistant coach the previous three seasons. While associate head coach, Libby helped lead the GymHawks to a school record 49.425 beam performance in 2004. In addition to the record breaking performance, the 2004 GymHawks recorded a 49.0 or higher seven times on beam under Libby’s guidance.
Next Competition
The Hawkeyes will travel to SE Missouri State, February 2nd. Competition will take place at Parker Gymnasium and is set to begin at 2 p.m.
Complete Release in PDF Format
Click HERE for the Big Ten Network home page.