March 9, 2010
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This Week
The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team will return to the road March 9 to challenge the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge, LA. The meet will be held in the Maravich Center and is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. (CT).
Scouting LSU
The 10th-ranked Tigers are coming off a 196.925-195.525 upset over No. 6 Oregon. Led by senior all-American, Susan Jackson, LSU earned a 49.125 or higher in all four events. Jackson, ranked No. 1 nationally in the all-round, claimed her eighth all-around title of the season with a score of 39.650.
Scouting the Hawkeyes
Iowa is coming off impressive wins over Iowa State on the road March 5 and Southern Utah at home March 7. The GymHawks improved to 1-1 against ISU this season after a dominating, 195.175-194.150, decision. Junior Rebecca Simbhudas took first on vault (9.850) and in the all-around (39.225). In the 195.300-194.475 routing of SUU, Iowa was led by Simbhudas and junior Houry Gebeshian. The duo shared the all-around title with scores of 39.325.
Head Coach Larissa Libby
In her sixth season at Iowa, Larissa Libby has a career record of 52-60-1. 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.
Libby at LSU
Friday’s meet will be a homecoming for Libby as she spent her collegiate years in Baton Rouge. As a four-year captain and letterwinner from 1992-95, Libby took part in three top-10 finishes nationally (1993-95) and was the individual Central Region champion on bars in 1995. Libby was coached by D.D. Breaux, who is currently in her 33rd year at the helm of the Tigers’ program.
Next Competition
The Hawkeyes will return to action March 19 when they travel to Camp Girardeau, MO, to take on the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks. Competition will be held in the Houck Field House and is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. (CT).