Feb. 3, 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 No. 8 University of Iowa men’s gymnastics team have a tricky week ahead. Senior Jonathan Buese and junior Ben Ketelsen will travel to Las Vegas, NV, to compete in the Winter Cup. Both gymnasts are looking for a spot on the U.S. National Team. Meanwhile, the rest of the team will travel to Chicago, IL, to compete against the University of Illinois-Chicago in a dual meet slated to start at 5 p.m.
IN THE RANKINGS: The Hawkeyes are currently ranked No. 8 in the country. Big Ten opponents Michigan (No. 1), Illinois (No. 2), Penn State (No. 5), Ohio State (No. 6) and Minnesota (No.7) are all ranked in the top 10.
LAST TIME OUT: Iowa fell to No. 2 Michigan Jan. 30 at Carver Hawkeye Arena, 352.450-340.000. Senior Jonathan Buese placed second on vault with a team-best 15.750 and second in the all-around with a season-best 84.850, to lead Iowa.
Junior Ben Ketelsen led the Hawkeyes in floor exercise placing second with a team-best 15.100. Sophomore Jacob Swafford scored a season-best 13.850 to lead the Hawkeyes in pommel horse. Senior Joel Snyder recorded a season-best 14.050 on parallel bars.
LAST TIME AGAINST CHICAGO-ILLINOIS: The Hawkeyes competed against Chicago-Illinois in the Windy City Invite earlier this season. Iowa placed fourth (339.600) at the 40th annual Windy City Invitational. Illinois-Chicago finished sixth out of six teams (328.750).
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 217-133-2, 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: “I have been able to avoid this meet conflict in the past, but will have to face the challenge this week. The Winter Cup is an opportunity for Jon and Ben to make the U.S. National Team. It gives Iowa some good national exposure and is a great experience for the guys. Going to UIC without these two will be difficult, but on the positive side, it is a competitive opportunity for just about everyone else on the team. Luckily, we have more team depth than we have had the last couple of years. I suppose if we knew how it would end up there wouldn’t be any point in making the trip.”