March 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. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes will host No. 3 Illinois Sunday at 2 p.m. in a co-ed meet at Carver Hawkeye arena. The meet will be Iowa’s final home meet of the 2010 season and the Black and Gold’s four seniors; Jon Buese, John Kuklinski, Joel Snyder and Reid Urbain will be recognized before the meet.
IN THE RANKINGS: The Hawkeyes are currently ranked No.10 in the country. Big Ten opponents Michigan (No. 1), Illinois (No. 3), Penn State (No. 5), Minnesota (No.6) and Ohio State (No. 7) are all ranked in the top 10.
LAST TIME OUT: Iowa placed fourth out of six teams Feb. 20 at the Pacific Coast Classic in Oakland, CA. The Hawkeyes scored 331.050. Japan won the meet scoring 358.800. Junior Mike Jiang led Iowa pommel horse placing ninth (14.050) and parallel bars (13.550). Freshman Matt McGrath scored Iowa’s high marks in floor exercise (14.500) and rings (14.500). Senior Jon Buese finished in seventh in the all around (82.800).
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.
QUOTE FROM COACH DUNN: “The team is very excited to compete in Carver-Hawkeye Arena for the second time this season,” Head Coach Tom Dunn said. “The Fighting Illini were ranked #1 in the nation two weeks ago and have a very exciting team to watch. This is the kind of competition we need as we prepare for the Big Ten and NCAA Championships.”