April 7, 2012
SEATTLE, Wash. — The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team finished in fifth place at the NCAA Seattle Regional on Saturday evening. Competing in its fifth-consecutive NCAA Regional event, Iowa scored a team total of 194.600. Defending NCAA champion and No. 4 ranked Alabama (197.025) won the meet as No. 9 LSU (196.075) and No. 23 Washington (195.825) rounded out the top-three. Competition was held in front of 2,251 fans inside Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, Wash.
The GymHawks began the meet on beam where they recorded a team mark of 48.425. Freshman Emma Willis led the way for Iowa with a score of 9.775. The Sarnia, Ontario, native finished in a tie for 16th place. Sophomore Tesla Cox tied for 27th with a 9.675 as senior Annie Szatkowski and freshman Emily Bigras each tallied a score of 9.625. The duo finished tied for 30th.
Iowa took a bye in the second rotation before posting a 48.600 on floor. Junior Emma Stevenson paced the Black and Gold with a score of 9.800. Her performance was good for a share of seventh place. Willis tied for 19th with a 9.750 as freshman Sydney Hoerr (9.725) tied for 24th.
The GymHawks posted a mark of 48.625 on vault in the fourth rotation. Senior Rachel Corcoran recorded a 9.850 to finish tied for fifth, Iowa’s highest individual placing of the evening. Corcoran’s performance tied a career best that she set at home during the Big Ten Championships. Senior Jessa Hansen finished tied for 28th with a total of 9.725. Willis, along with junior Maya Wickus, posted a mark of 9.700 to finish tied for 31st.
After a seventh round bye, Iowa closed the meet on bars where it recorded a 48.950. Cox and junior Kaitlynn Urano led the team as they took home a share of 10th place. Both gymnasts scored a 9.825 apiece. Stevenson and Hansen each scored a 9.775 to tie for 21st. In her first collegiate outing on bars, Hoerr earned a mark of 9.750 to tie for 29th.
Hansen led Iowa in the all-around competition. The two-time All-Big Ten selection finished 10th with a meet total of 38.900. Willis posted a score of 38.350 and placed 16th. Hoerr also made her debut in the all-around as the Bloomington, Ill., native tallied a 37.475 to finish in 19th place.
Team Results
1. Alabama 197.025
2. LSU 196.075
3. Washington 195.825
4. Arizona 195.075
5. Iowa 194.600
6. Central Michigan 194.150