Jan. 14, 2012
CHICAGO — The University of Iowa men’s gymnastics team opened the 2012 season Friday with the 42nd annual Windy City Invitational at the UIC Physical Education Building. The tenth-ranked Hawkeyes scored a 316.800 to finish in sixth place in the competition that featured five teams ranked in the top-ten. Iowa finished with three individual top-five finishes.
“We’re still going through the learning curve right now,” said head coach JD Reive. “We were a little anxious tonight, and we’ll have to work out that competition anxiety.”
Freshman Devin Clarke gave the Hawkeyes their top individual placing, scoring a 14.900 on vault to place tied for third. New rule changes this season deduct one point from all vault scores. The East Hartford, Conn., native competed on two events on the night in his first collegiate action.
Junior Anton Gryshayev paced the Hawkeyes on rings, scoring a 14.700 to place fifth. The Littleton, Colo., native holds the top-five scores on rings in program history.
Junior Javier Balboa scored a 14.500 on parallel bars to lead Iowa on the event with a fourth place finish. Balboa was named to the 2012 Big Ten Gymnast’s to Watch List in the preseason. Balboa also provided the Hawkeyes with the team’s top score on pommel horse with a 12.900.
Junior Broderick Shemansky paced the Hawkeyes on high bar with a 13.600. Shemansky finished tied for eighth on the event. Fellow junior Todd Becker provided also Iowa with the team’s top score on floor exercise. Becker scored a 13.800.
Iowa returns to action on Jan 21st with the first home meet of the season, hosting Illinois. Start time is 5 p.m. inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Team Standings
1. Ohio State, 344.500; 2. Illinois, 341.900; 3. Michigan, 338.700; 4. Minnesota, 338.100; 5. Illinois-Chicago, 327.200; 6. Iowa, 316.800.