March 9, 2009
IOWA CITY, IA – University of Iowa women’s gymnast Jenifer Simbhudas has been named Big Ten Gymnast of the Week for her efforts in leading the GymHawks to a dual meet victory over Kentucky last weekend.
Against Kentucky, Simbhudas scored higher than a 9.825 on each event, taking first place in three. She scored a 9.9 on vault for the second week in a row and a 9.825 on uneven bars, good enough for a tie for first and fourth place, respectively. On balance beam, Simbhudas scored a 9.875, which ties a career high previously set March 17, 2006, against Iowa State. Her highest score of the night came on floor exercise (9.925), marking the third time this season Simbhudas has scored higher than a 9.9 on floor.
Simbhudas won the all-around with a career high score of 39.525, breaking her previous mark of 39.450, set February 29, 2008, against Minnesota.
“Obviously, we are elated for her as a senior,” said Head Coach Larissa Libby. “She had an incredible night and we’re hopeful it’s the first of many. She’s been getting better each week and she really put it all together Friday. It was one of the most confident, most exciting performances I’ve ever seen from her in her four years at Iowa.”
This marks the third time in her career Simbhudas has been awarded the Gymnast of the Week honor. She received the honor twice as a junior. Her sister, sophomore Rebecca Simbhudas, was Big Ten co-Gymnast of the Week earlier this season (Feb. 23).