Feb. 16, 2009
IOWA CITY, IA – The 23rd-ranked University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team defeated No. 20 Iowa State inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena Monday night, 194.675-194.000, sweeping the season series with their in-state rivals for the first time since 1992 and gaining another point in the Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series. It was Iowa’s annual “Pink Meet”.
“I’m really proud of this team,” said Head Coach Larissa Libby. “I’ll say it every week. They are a `never say die’ team. They’ll never quit. That mentality helped them tonight, because it wasn’t all there.”
With two dual meet wins over Iowa State (0-7) in the last five days, the current tally in the Cy-Hawk Series now stands at 18-4 in favor of the Hawkeyes with only one event remaining (softball). The Hawkeyes have already claimed this year’s title, making it their third series win over Iowa State since the challenge was implemented in 2005.
With the meet still up in the air heading into the final rotation, Iowa (8-3, 2-1 Big Ten) put forth some spirited efforts on floor, led by freshman Jessa Hansen and sophomore Rebecca Simbhudas. Hansen scored a 9.900, tying senior Jenifer Simbhudas for the highest score on floor this season, while Rebecca came through with a 9.800. R. Simbhudas was initially slated to be an exhibition competitor but was put in the lineup after sophomore Kristen Ward was injured during warm-ups.
Following the meet, Libby heaped the praise of her two underclassmen for helping Iowa to their win.
“To see the fight in those two kids, to see two young kids under pressure make the difference, it’s great for the future of the program,” said Libby.
R. Simbhudas won the all-around competition for the first time this season (39.225), while her sister Jenifer came in second (39.100). Sophomore Houry Gebeshian finished fourth (38.525).
Iowa started the meet on vault, an event that Libby said the GymHawks were a little sluggish on. J. Simbhudas finished tied for first place with Iowa State’s Jennifer Salfen (9.800).
The GymHawks dominated uneven bars, with R. Simbhudas finishing in first (9.825), with Gebeshian and J. Simbhudas were among a four-way tie for second place (9.775). Freshman Jennie Schurman tied for seventh place with a 9.725.
The Simbhudas sisters ruled balance beam, with Rebecca finishing in a tie for first (9.850) and Jenifer in a tie for third (9.825). Junior Andrea Hurlburt started the team off with a solid 9.725, while senior Brandi Loffer connected with a 9.750.
This weekend, the GymHawks travel to Cedar City, UT, for a meet with Southern Utah. The meet is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. (CT).
Final Team ScoresPlace Team Vault Bars Beam Floor Total1. IOWA 48.550 48.800 48.375 48.950 194.6752. Iowa State 48.700 48.725 48.625 47.950 194.000
Individual Results (Winner plus Iowa)VaultT1. Jenifer Salfen (Iowa St.) 9.800T1. Jenifer Simbhudas (IOWA) 9.800T4. Rebecca Simbhudas (IOWA) 9.7507. Houry Gebeshian (IOWA) 9.700T8. Rachel Corcoran (IOWA) 9.650T8. Arielle Sucich (IOWA) 9.65012. Annie Szatkowski (IOWA) 9.550
Uneven Bars1. Rebecca Simbhudas (IOWA) 9.825T2. Houry Gebeshian (IOWA) 9.775T2. Jenifer Simbhudas (IOWA) 9.775T7. Jennie Schurman (IOWA) 9.725T9. Jessa Hansen (IOWA) 9.700T11. Arielle Sucich (IOWA) 9.600
Balance BeamT1. Rebecca Simbhudas (IOWA) 9.850T3. Jenifer Simbhudas (IOWA) 9.8257. Brandi Loffer (IOWA) 9.7508. Andrea Hurlburt (IOWA) 9.72511. Houry Gebeshian (IOWA) 9.22512. Jessa Hansen (IOWA) 9.075
Floor Exercise1. Jessa Hansen (IOWA) 9.9003. Houry Gebeshian (IOWA) 9.8254. Rebecca Simbhudas (IOWA) 9.8006. Jenny Donar (IOWA) 9.7257. Jenifer Simbhudas (IOWA) 9.7008. Arielle Sucich (IOWA) 9.575
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