Jan. 7, 2012
CANCUN, Mexico – The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team opened its 2012 season with a fourth place finish at the Cancun Classic Friday evening. The 25th-ranked Hawkeyes posted a team mark of 193.875 as Arkansas outscored the five-team field with a 196.450. Competition was held at the Hilton Cancun Beach and Golf Resort in Cancun, Mexico.
Senior Jessa Hansen and freshman Emma Willis both competed in the all-around competition for Iowa and finished inside the top-10. Willis scored a 38.950 to finish eighth in her collegiate debut as Hansen placed ninth with a 38.700.
The GymHawks began the meet on floor where they scored a team total of 48.375. Willis led the way with a score of 9.775. The Sarnia, Ontario, native tied for seventh. Junior Emma Stevenson also earned a top-10 finish on floor with a score of 9.750 (T10).
Scoring began to improve as the Hawkeyes moved to vault and posted a 48.575. Willis paced the Hawkeyes with the help of sophomore Tesla Cox. The pair tied for 10th with scores of 9.800. Stevenson and senior Rachel Corcoran scored a 9.700 apiece and tied for 19th.
After a bye in the third rotation, Iowa moved to bars and posted its best team total of the night, 48.975. Cox posted an impressive 9.850 performance to tie for fourth as Hansen tied for sixth with a mark of 9.825. Stevenson scored a 9.800 to tie for eighth and Willis tied for 11th with a 9.775. Iowa’s team mark on bars was the second-best of the night.
In the final rotation, the GymHawks posted a 47.950 on beam. Cox finished in another tie for fourth as the Greenville, S.C., native recorded a 9.825. Hansen also finished in the top-10 with a 9.750 (T9).
Iowa will return home to host Michigan State Jan. 13. Competition is slated to begin at 7 p.m. (CT) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Big Ten matchup will be the first of a two-meet home stand for Iowa.