Jan. 26, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format
This Week
The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team (4-2 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) take a brief reprieve from Big Ten competition, hosting Texas Woman’s University and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena this Saturday night. Meet time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Scouting Texas Woman’s University
Texas Woman’s University enters Saturday night’s meet with a dual-meet record of 0-2. They dropped home contests to then-No. 9 Oklahoma (1/17) and Southeast Missouri State (1/24). It is the first road meet of the season for the Pioneers.
Texas Woman’s had a 10-14 record in 2008 and finished fourth in the Midwest Independent Conference. They returned 15 letterwinners this year, including eight seniors.
Freshman Rashonda Cannie has been impressive for Texas Woman’s, scoring a 38.575 in the all-around against Southeast Missouri State. She scored 9.850 on bars and 9.825 on floor against the Redhawks. The week prior against Oklahoma, Cannie scored 9.800 on vault.
The Pioneers are coached by Frank Kudlac, who is in his 31st season at Texas Woman’s. He owns a career record of 423-458-1.
Scouting Wisconsin-Whitewater
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (5-0) comes to Iowa City fresh off scoring the third-best meet total in school history against Hamline last Saturday. The Warhawks won all four events, plus the all-around, which went to Justine Weyer (37.325).
Wisconsin-Whitewater is coached by Jennifer White, who is in her seventh year as head coach of the Warhawks. They went 8-7 last season, including a WIAC Conference Championship.
Last Time Out
The GymHawks knocked off No. 14 Illinois last Saturday, 194.950-194.400 in Champaign, IL. The victory was Iowa’s second against a ranked opponent so far this season, including a win over then-No. 18 West Virginia at Michigan State Jan. 17. Against the Fighting Illini, sophomore Houry Gebeshian won the all-around competition (39.150), while senior Jenifer Simbhudas finished third (38.725). Senior Kara Pinjuv scored a career-high 9.900 on floor while sophomore Rebecca Simbhudas competed as an all-around performer for the first time in her collegiate career (37.650).
Next Competition
The GymHawks resume conference competition next Saturday at Ohio State. Match time is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. (CT) and will shown on the Big Ten Network Feb. 14 at 7 p.m.