Stevenson Wins Title on Bars at Ohio State

Feb. 10, 2012

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Columbus, Ohio – University of Iowa junior gymnast Emma Stevenson won the event title on bars as Iowa fell to Ohio State, 194.425-196.125, Friday evening. Freshman Emma Willis finished second in the all-around competition with a mark of 38.525 as the GymHawks move to a record of 2-6-1on the season. Competition was held at Ohio State’s St. John Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

Iowa began the night on beam where it posted a score of 48.875, its highest team mark of the evening. Stevenson won the event title with a mark of 9.875, her personal best. Sophomore Tesla Cox earned a fourth place finish with a score of 9.800 as senior Jessa Hansen (9.775) tied for fifth. Junior Kaitlynn Urano tallied a 9.750 and tied for seventh.

“Emma has been doing everything that we’ve asked of her and that’s exactly what you want as a coach,” said Head Coach Larissa Libby. “Tonight wasn’t even her best routine and that says something when she’s able to walk away with the event title.”

The GymHawks recorded a 48.700 on vault in the second rotation. Junior Maya Wickus scored a 9.800 to lead Iowa and tie for third place in the event. Willis finished seventh with a mark of 9.750. Stevenson and Cox took home a share of eighth place with a score of 9.725 apiece.

Iowa moved to floor in the third rotation, compiling a team mark of 48.825. Willis led the charge with a score of 9.825. The Sarnia, Ontario, native tied for fourth in the event. Stevenson finished sixth with a 9.800 as senior Rachel Corcoran and freshman Sydney Hoerr tied for seventh, each scoring a 9.775.

The GymHawks closed the meet on beam, earning a team score of 48.025. Hansen finished in second place with a solid 9.850. Cox posted a 9.800 to finish fourth while Willis tied for sixth with a mark of 9.725.

“We’ve been a very solid team in three events all year long,” said Libby. “We can’t afford to count falls on beam if we want to compete and that’s my job as a coach to fix what’s wrong. We’ll go back, figure out what’s wrong and make the necessary changes not to take a step backwards. We need to continue to take steps forward week in and week out.”

The GymHawks will return home to host Iowa State on Feb. 17. Action will be held in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, home of the 2012 Big Ten Championships, and is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. (CT).