Dec. 8, 2009
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IOWA CITY – University of Iowa women’s gymnasts Jessa Hansen and Rebecca Simbhudas have been selected to the 2010 Preseason Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch List. This list is a compilation of prospective Big Ten leaders for the 2010 season.
Hansen, a native of Clive, IA, competed on bars, beam and floor in every meet last season. The sophomore recorded a career-best on the floor exercise (9.9) against Iowa State and a best on bars (9.775) at the Big Ten Championships.
Simbhudas, a native of Markham, Ontario, scored career-highs in every event during the 2009 season. The junior also earned Big Ten Gymnast of the Week (2/23/09) and finished in first place of the all-around competition against Iowa State.
“I think there are a lot of gymnasts that show promise on our team, but these two girls are the two that have the most potential to make a difference and improve from last year,” said Head Coach Larissa Libby. “They are both very disciplined in the gym, and are silent leaders who don’t have to say a lot, but let their gymnastics speak for them.”
After an impressive intrasquad meet in front of a standing room only crowd inside the Field House, the Hawkeyes will return to competition Jan. 9 with a meet against Michigan.
2010 PRESEASON BIG TEN WOMEN’S GYMNASTS TO WATCH
Allison Buckley, Illinois
Melissa Fernandez, Illinois
Jessa Hansen, Iowa
Rebecca Simbhudas, Iowa
Natalie Beilstein, Michigan
Kylee Botterman, Michigan
Nicole Curler, Michigan State
Kelsey Morley, Michigan State
Kristin Furukawa, Minnesota
Alexis Russell, Minnesota
Rebecca Best, Ohio State
Hillary Dow, Ohio State
Whitney Bencsko, Penn State
Brandi Personett, Penn State