Feb. 18, 2011
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Ames, IA – The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team posted its second-highest score of the year, but fell to Iowa State, 195.850-196.350, Friday evening. The GymHawks set a season high mark on beam in attempts to clinch the Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series as senior Rebecca Simbhudas won her third all-around title in as many meets. Competition was held inside Iowa State’s Hilton Coliseum.
“I thought we had a great meet,” said Head Coach Larissa Libby. “We’re coming off a very rough week and have had to make some sacrifices, but we looked stellar in three different events. Despite little mistakes here and there, we didn’t use a single fall and came out of a tough road meet with the second highest team score of the year.”
Simbhudas won the all-around competition with a score of 39.475 while sophomore Jessa Hansen tied for third with a score of 39.025. Senior Houry Gebeshian posted a 38.100 to finish fifth.
“Rebecca is doing a fantastic job this season and she deserves it because she’s working extremely hard,” said Libby. “With that said, everyone is working extremely hard and that’s what is making us successful. When the entire team steps up their routines, it forces everyone to get better and the team improves.”
The Hawkeyes began on bars where they fell to Iowa State, 49.00-49.350. Simbhudas, along with sophomore Emma Stevenson and junior Jessa Hansen, posted a 9.825 to tie for fifth. Stevenson’s performance tied her career high. Gebeshian tied for eighth with a 9.800. Additionally, sophomore Kaitlynn Urano posted a season high of 9.725 to finish 11th.
Iowa moved to vault in the second rotation where they beat the Cyclones, 48.925-48.700. Simbhudas won the title and tied a career high of 9.900. Gebeshian tied for second with a 9.800 while sophomore Maya Wickus recorded a 9.775 to finish fourth. Junior Annie Szatkowski tied for fifth with a score of 9.750.
The GymHawks moved to floor exercise where they posted a 48.850, behind Iowa State’s 49.200. Simbhudas tied her season best with a score of 9.850 as she tied with Hansen for second. Gebeshian tied a season high of 9.800 to finish eighth while Urano and Szatkowski tied for 10th with scores of 9.675.
The Hawkeyes set a season mark of 49.075 on beam as the Cyclones posted a 49.100. Simbhudas took home a share of the title as she posted a career mark of 9.900. Senior Arielle Sucich put together the performance of her career to finish third with a 9.875. With another career best, Szatkowski finished in sixth after scoring a 9.800. Hansen and senior Andrea Hurlburt each recorded a 9.750 and where part of a four-way tie for eighth place.
“Coming back with a really strong event on beam is hard to do,” added Libby. “It just goes to show the character of the girls on this team and we’ll need that this back half of the season as we compete for a championship.”
The GymHawks will get their second chance at the Cyclones when the instate rivalry returns to Iowa City Feb. 25. Competition will be held in the UI Field House and is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. (CT).