Feb. 12, 2010
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CHICAGO, IL – The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team finished fourth among some of the nation’s best teams at the Navy Pier Meet in Chicago, IL, Friday evening. The Hawkeyes finished with a team score of 193.625, behind Illinois (194.225), Denver (195.250) and Nebraska (196.475).
Houry Gebeshian led the GymHawks, placing second in the all-around with a score of 39.225. The junior also finished in a tie for first on bars with a career-high score of 9.850.
“We are really please with Houry’s improvement,” said Head Coach Larissa Libby. “She’s slowing coming back from an injury and making great strides in the gym, and it’s showing in competition. She should walk away feeling amazing that she’s second in the all-around among this competitive group tonight. It speaks volumes to her hard work in the gym.”
Iowa scored a 48.725 on vault and was led by Annie Szatkowski. The sophomore scored a 9.800 and finished tied for eighth while Gebeshian scored a 9.775 and tied for 13th. Additionally, freshman Emma Stevenson set one of her three career marks of the night on vault, scoring a 9.500.
The Hawkeyes placed third on bars with a score of 47.450. While Gebeshian led Iowa with a tie for first place, Stevenson finished in a tie for sixth with a score of 9.775, her second career-high of the night. In her only event of the evening, sophomore Jordan Eszlinger posted Iowa’s third best score on bars with a 9.525.
Gebeshian also led the Black and Gold on beam, scoring a 9.800 and finishing tied for seventh. Junior Rebecca Simbhudas finished in a tie for 12th while sophomore Melissa Miller set a career-high on beam with a score of 9.675.
“The fact that we can remain competitive with top-20 teams like we saw tonight is amazing,” said Libby. “It shows the dedication and respect to our goals that all of these girls have.”
Simbhudas led the GymHawks on floor, Iowa’s best event of the night, tying for third with a score of 9.850. Gebeshian posted Iowa’s second-best score with a 9.800 and finished tied for ninth. Also, sophomore Amy Center set a new career-high on floor (9.750) along with Stevenson (9.725).
“Considering what this team has been through so far this season, it was nice to leave this meet with all of the girls we started it with,” added Libby. “It was also nice to see the passion and intensity for the sport as it carried over from last week’s meet. With that being said, it was disappointing to see an even better finish within our grasps slip away. I hope the girls walk away feeling a little disappointing because that is what will drive them to reach greatness.”
The Hawkeyes will return to competition Feb. 21, when they host the Iowa State Cyclones. The intrastate rivalry will be held in Carver-Hawkeye Arena and is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. (CT).