Jan. 27, 2012
Ames, Iowa — The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team fell to Iowa State, 194.900-194.550, Friday evening in Hilton Coliseum. Both programs split two events apiece, but Iowa State was able to capitalize on falls from the No. 23 Hawkeyes on beam. A GymHawk brought home at least a share of the individual title in all four events.
“Tonight we made some changes and added difficulty to our routines, but you can’t compete when you make too many mistakes,” said Head coach Larissa Libby. “Hilton [Coliseum] is one of the most difficult and most intense venues we’ll compete in this season and we just couldn’t block out our surroundings and finish tonight.”
The Hawkeyes began the night on bars where they outscored the Cyclones 48.725-48.275. Senior Jessa Hansen tied for first with a mark of 9.875, Iowa’s highest individual score of the meet. Junior Emma Stevenson finished fourth while sophomore Tesla Cox placed fifth. The two posted scores of 9.800 and 9.775, respectively. Junior Kaitlynn Urano tied for seventh with a 9.725.
Highlighting the GymHawks’ performance was a 48.925 on vault, their best team score in the event all season. Junior Maya Wickus won the event title with an impressive 9.850. Cox was close behind with a mark of 9.825. The Greenville, S.C., native tied for second. Freshman Jessica Morreale tied for fourth with a score of 9.775 while freshman Emma Willis placed sixth with a 9.750.
The Hawkeyes competed on floor in the third rotation, falling to Iowa State 48.900-48.775. Stevenson recorded a solid 9.825 to tie for first place. Hansen and fellow senior Rachel Corcoran took home a share of fifth place with a 9.775 apiece. Willis tallied a 9.725 and tied for eighth.
“Iowa State is a great team and they’re capable of making up points, especially in their home environment,” said Libby. “They’re the kind of team that if you give them an inch, they’ll gain a mile and that’s exactly what they did against us.”
Finishing the meet on beam, Iowa posted a 48.125. Morreale won the event with a score of 9.850 while senior Annie Szatkowski tied for second with a 9.825. Hansen and Cox both posted a 9.750 and tied for seventh.
Willis, Iowa’s only all-around competitor, finished fourth with a score of 37.350.
“We saw some positive things tonight,” said Libby. “The bottom line is that there were mistakes and we need to learn to back up our mistakes. We’ll go back into the gym and work to get a point better. We’ll have five days to prepare for Penn State and we need to take care of business.”
The GymHawks will return to Iowa City to host Penn State Feb. 3. Action will be held in Carver-Hawkeye Arena and is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. (CT).