Jan. 20, 2010
- Iowa and the Big Ten Network
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch (2009-10 season)
THIS WEEK: No. 8 University of Iowa men’s gymnastics team will host No. 3 Oklahoma, Saturday, Jan. 23rd. Competition will begin at 2 p.m. in the UI Fieldhouse, on the Main Deck. There is no admission charge for this men’s gymnastics event.
IN THE RANKINGS: The Hawkeyes begin the season as the 10th ranked team in the country. Iowa finished sixth at the 2009 Big Ten Championships. After a strong season opener at the Windy City Invitational, the Hawkeyes moved up to eighth.
LAST YEAR AGAINST OKLAHOMA: Iowa fell to No. 1 Oklahoma 354.25 – 336.00 in Norman, OK. The Hawkeyes put up a good fight against the top ranked Sooners on their home turf, grabbing two new individual team records for 2009. Junior Jonathan Buese placed first in the all-around competition with an 84.05. He also earned one of the records for Iowa on high bar (14.50) placing second and tied for fifth on parallel bars with a 14.05.
Sophomore Ben Ketelsen placed fourth on pommel horse with a final score of 14.05, while Reid Urbain grabbed a fifth place finish on rings with a 14.35.
SCOUTING THE HAWKEYES: The Black and Gold return 11 letterwinners, including Iowa’s “one-two punch” of senior Jon Buese and junior Ben Ketelson. The Iowa roster is made up of 11 underclassmen on the 18-man roster with newcomers: Todd Becker, Anton Gryshayev, Timm Krueger, Jack McClay, Matt McGrath and Broderick Shemansky.
HEAD COACH Tom Dunn: In his 29-year career as Iowa’s head gymnastics coach, Dunn has elevated the program’s status to one of a perennial national contender. With an Iowa record of 217-132-2, Dunn has led the Hawkeyes to 23 top-10 finishes in the NCAA Championships, and has competed in the national meet 24 of the past 29 seasons. Dunn has helped 33 individuals to earn 67 all-America honors and 22 gymnasts win 35 Big Ten titles. There have been 122 academic all-Big Ten selections and 78 all-America scholar athletes in his 29 seasons as Iowa’s head coach.
QUOTING HEAD COACH Tom Dunn: “As always, the team is excited to perform for the home crowd. Oklahoma will be a tough opponent. They finished third at the 2009 NCAA Championships and started the 2010 season by winning the Rocky Mountain Open last weekend. Iowa fans will enjoy the opportunity to see great gymnastics, including numerous new skills from their 2010 Hawkeyes!””