March 23, 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 travel to Columbus, OH, for the 2010 Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Championships Saturday. Competition is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. (CT) and will be aired live from St. John Arena in high definition on the Big Ten Network.
Championship Page
Ohio State is hosting this year’s championships and has provided a tournament page. For ticket information, a full schedule of events and much more, visit ohiostatebuckeyes.com and click on the women’s gymnastics link.
Last Time Out
Iowa is coming off a 195.125-193.625 loss to Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau, MO, March 12. The Hawkeyes were led by junior Houry Gebeshian who won the all-around and was the only student-athlete to reach the 39.000 mark with an impressive 39.100. Junior Rebecca Simbhudas finished second with a 38.975 while sophomore Jessa Hansen scored a 38.400 and placed fourth.
2009 Big Tens
The Hawkeyes yielded their second-highest scoring output of the 2009 season at last year’s Big Ten Championships as they finished in seventh place with a 195.450. The Simbhudas sisters led the squad with a 39.300 from Jenifer and a 39.050 from Rebecca in the all-around. The duo placed seventh and 14th, respectively.
Head Coach Larissa Libby
In her sixth season at Iowa, Larissa Libby has a career record of 52-62-1. 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.
Regional Hopes
The GymHawks are fighting for their 10th invitation to the NCAA Regional Championship in school history. Iowa played host in last year’s meet, which marked the second consecutive regional appearance for the Hawkeyes and the third in five years. Iowa finished in sixth last year. Simbhudas led the team with an 11th place finish in the all-around. The 2010 NCAA Regionals will be held April 10.