Hawkeyes To Compete At Big Ten Championships Saturday

March 24, 2008

This Week
The 22nd-ranked Iowa Women’s Gymnastics team will compete at the Big Ten Championships, Saturday, hosted by the University of Michigan. Competition will take place at Michigan’s Crisler Arena at 1 p.m. (CST). The meet will be replayed on the Big Ten Nework, April 3, at 7 p.m. (CST).

Scouting the Big Ten
Michigan is first in the Big Ten rankings and fourth nationally with a regional qualifying score of 196.825. Michigan State follows, ranked 17th nationally, averaging 195.560. Iowa is third with a 195.200 average. Penn State and Minnesota are 23rd and 25th nationally while Illinois and Ohio State follow, ranked 26th and 31st, respectively.

The Hawkeyes
Iowa is ranked 22nd nationally and fourth in the Big Ten with a 10-4-1 record. Junior Jenifer Simbhudas is sixth in the league’s all-around rankings with an average 39.205 and season-high 39.45.

Last Competition
The Hawkeyes defeated Southern Utah (March 14), 195.4-194.725. Jenifer Simbhudas tied for first on vault (9.85) and took the title on floor (9.9) while sister Rebecca tied for first on bars (9.8) and won beam (9.875). Jenifer won the all-around with a 39.275.

Last Time At Big Ten Championships
Iowa traveled to University Park, PA to compete at the 2007 Big Ten Championships. The Hawkeyes placed sixth with a score of 192.75. Kara Pinjuv finished third in the all-around with a 39.075 and tied for seventh on vault. Jenifer Simbhudas tied for sixth on floor with a 9.825 while Katie Burke tied for eighth in the event with a 9.8.

Head Coach Larissa Libby
In four years as Iowa Head Coach, Larissa Libby has recorded a 30-46-1 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.

Complete Release in PDF Format

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