Simbhudas Earns Big Ten Weekly Honor

Feb. 1, 2010

IOWA CITY, IA – University of Iowa junior Rebecca Simbhudas has been named Big Ten women’s Gymnast of the Week after her incredible performance against Illinois Jan. 30 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Markham, Ontario, native anchored the GymHawks in a 195.225-192.950 loss to the No. 25 Fighting Illini.

“We’re really, really proud of Rebecca,” said Head Coach Larissa Libby. “She’s put a lot of time and effort in, reevaluating herself after competitions and figuring out what she can do personally to help the team. There is no one else more deserving than her, due to the amount of time she’s putting in to help the team effort.”

Simbhudas stole the show, earning the all-around title with a score of 39.400, while finishing in at least a tie for first in every event. She began the night with the meet’s best vault score (9.850) and never looked back, finishing in a tie for first on bars (9.850), beam (9.875) and floor (9.825).

This is the second Big Ten weekly honor for Simbhudas. Her first honor came Feb. 23, 2009, as a sophomore, when she won her first career all-around title (39.225) against in-state rival Iowa State. Her efforts helped lead Iowa to its first regular season sweep of the Cyclones since 1992.

“She has a lot of pressure being that go-to person, and she’s doing great in adjusting to help her team out,” said Libby. “We’re very proud of her and she is more than deserving of this honor. I have a feeling there will be more of these to come for her.”

Simbhudas and the Hawkeyes return to action Feb. 6 when they host the Ohio State Buckeyes in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Competition is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. (CT).