Feb. 25, 2011
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IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team will remain unbeaten at home and clinch the Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk series for the university with a 195.450-195.200 win over No. 22 Iowa State. The 15th-ranked GymHawks improve to a season record of 6-5. The “Pink Meet”, which recognizes breast cancer support and awareness, was held in the UI Field House.
“It may not have been the prettiest, but this was a huge win for us,” said Head Coach Larissa Libby. “The “Pink Meet” is very important in itself, but for it to be a win at home that clinches the series win over an instate rival is more than we could have asked for. The girls came out and did what they needed to do.”
Senior Rebecca Simbhudas won her fourth-consecutive all-around title with a score of 39.325. Junior Jessa Hansen placed second (39.250) while senior Houry Gebeshian finished fourth (38.325).
“Rebecca is dominating right now and it is truly fun to watch,” said Libby. “She’s been incredibly focused on continuing to improve and she is doing a phenomenal job for us.”
In their first rotation, the Hawkeyes posted a 48.650, behind Iowa State’s 48.725. Sophomore Maya Wickus led the Black and Gold with a score of 9.800. The Port Washington, WI, native finished in a tie for second. Gebeshian tied for fourth with a score of 9.750 while Simbhudas and senior Arielle Sucich tied for sixth. The pair recorded a 9.725 apiece.
The Hawkeyes moved to bars where they topped the Cyclones, 49.075-48.975. Gebeshian, along with Sophomore Emma Stevenson, tied for second with a score of 9.850. Stevenson’s mark was a career high. Simbhudas and Hansen each posted a 9.800 and tied for fourth. Additionally, sophomore Kaitlynn Urano set a career mark of 9.775 to tie for seventh.
The GymHawks moved to beam in the third rotation where Iowa State won, 48.600-48.325. Simbhudas won the title with a career performance of 9.900. Hansen finished fourth with a 9.850 while freshman Tesla Cox tied for sixth (9.750). Junior Annie Szatkowski placed eighth with a score of 9.700.
In the final rotation of the night, the GymHawks put together a much needed season high to win the event, 49.400-48.900, and seal the meet victory. Four different gymnasts posted career marks including Hansen who won the event with an incredible 9.950. Simbhudas placed second with her second 9.900 of the night while Gebeshian and Szatkowski each posted career highs of 9.875 to tie for third. Stevenson placed sixth with a career best of 9.800.
“Jessa’s performance was beautiful and it’s great to see it coming together for her,” said Libby. “She works so hard for this team and came out tonight with a clutch performance that helped us get a win.”
The Hawkeyes will conclude a busy weekend at the Nebraska-hosted Masters Classic Feb. 27. Along with Iowa, the Huskers will host Bowling Green and Kentucky. Competition is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. (CT) inside the Devaney Center.