Feb. 2, 2010
- Iowa and the Big Ten Network
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch (2009-10 season)
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPhone app!
This Week
The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team will complete its two-meet home stand Saturday evening when it hosts Big Ten rival, Ohio State. Competition will be held in Carver-Hawkeye Arena and is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. (CT). It will also be televised on the Big Ten Network, and will air Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. (CT).
Scouting the Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes fell out of the most recent national rankings after a tough loss to the Michigan State Spartans, 194.875-191.425. The meet was their first Big Ten competition and moved them to a season record of 1-3. Coached by Carey Fagan, the Buckeyes were led by senior captain Hillary Dow, but found top scores from five separate athletes, including Dow.
Scouting the Hawkeyes
The GymHawks are coming off a 195.225-192.950 loss to the Fighting Illini of Illinois. Iowa was guided by Rebecca Simbhudas who had a career night, winning the all-around (39.400) and finishing in at least a tie for first in every event. The junior’s performance earned her Big Ten Gymnast of the Week honors for the second time in her decorated career.
Head Coach Larissa Libby
Entering her sixth season at Iowa, Larissa Libby has a career record of 45-51-1. She was named North Central Region Coach of the Year in 2009 for her efforts in guiding the GymHawks to a 10-5 record and a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Regionals. She was also named co-Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2008. Libby served as associate head coach in 2004 and assistant coach from 2001-03 at Iowa before being named head coach in 2005.
Quoting Coach Libby
“After this weekend, we got right back to work and we’re attacking things from a mental stand point. It’s up to us as a coaching staff to figure out how to help the team compete tougher and we’re working on creating momentum for our team going into this weekend’s meet. Ohio State is a good team and we’ll have a pink theme with breast cancer awareness, so it should be an exciting meet.”
Next Competition
The Hawkeyes will hit the road Feb. 12, for the Navy Pier meet in Chicago, IL. Competing alongside the GymHawks will be Illinois, Denver and Nebraska. The meet is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. (CT).