Jan. 15, 2013
- PURCHASE 2013 SEASON TICKETS
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPad/iPhone app!
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
This Week
The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team travels to Columbus, Ohio to take on No. 21 Ohio State on Saturday. Action is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. (CT) inside St. John Arena.
Last Time Out
The Hawkeyes opened their 2013 season on Jan. 11, defeating the Ball State Cardinals 193.375 to 193.125 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. It was a strong start for Iowa on vault (48.525) and bars (48.925), but Ball State took a narrow lead after Iowa counted three falls on the beam (47.225). The Hawkeyes rebounded in the final rotation, posting 48.700 on the floor to win the competition. Four freshmen — Alie Glover, Adara Griffin, Alyssa Lopez and Kyra Trowbridge — made their collegiate debuts. Glover finished second in the all-around with a 38.475, while sophomore Sydney Hoerr earned third with a 38.400. Ball State’s Brittney Emmons won the all-around title (38.525), and the Hawkeyes swept the event titles. Senior Maya Wickus won the vault (9.825) and tied for first on the bars (9.825) with teammates Hoerr and senior Emma Stevenson. Sophomore Jessica Morreale captured the beam title (9.825). Trowbridge won the floor, scoring 9.850 — the highest score of the night.
Scouting The Buckeyes
No. 21 Ohio State fell to No. 9 Oregon State on Jan. 11, 195.375 to 195.000. Junior Melanie Shaffer won the all-around with a season best 39.075. Shaffer led the Buckeyes on the beam and floor, scoring 9.825 on both events. Senior Aly Marohn paced the Buckeyes on the bars, recording a 9.775. Junior Sarah Miller led Ohio State on the vault with 9.775. Miller was named Big Ten Gymnast and Specialist of the Week (1/7/13) after winning event titles on the vault, beam and floor and tying her career best on vault with a 9.950 against Bowling Green.
Big Ten Conference
Four of the eight Big Ten teams (Michigan, Nebraska, Minnesota, Ohio State) are nationally ranked in the top 25. Michigan ranks No. 2 after defeating No. 7 Nebraska, the 2012 Big Ten Champions, 196.900 to 196.300.
Newcomers Shine in First Meet
Four freshmen — Alie Glover, Adara Griffin, Alyssa Lopez and Kyra Trowbridge — made their collegiate debuts. Glover was one of two Hawkeyes to compete in the all-around competition and finished second with a 38.475. Glover competed in the leadoff position on all four events. Trowbridge scored 9.775 on the beam for second and captured the floor title with a 9.850.
Head Coach Larissa Libby
Entering her ninth year as head coach of the Hawkeyes, Libby has her eyes set on a sixth-consecutive NCAA postseason appearance, the seventh in her tenure. In 2012, the Hawkeyes finished the season ranked 26th nationally, the highest finish since 2004. Libby coached Tesla Cox to second team All-Big Ten honors and Emma Stevenson to the Big Ten All-Championship Team. The Hawkeyes hosted the Big Ten Championships, drawing a season-high attendance figure of 1,661. Stevenson scored a 9.875 on the floor exercise, and Iowa finished seventh as a team. Libby led the Hawkeyes to a fifth-consecutive NCAA postseason appearance. Iowa posted 194.600 and finished fifth at the Seattle Regional.
Roster Breakdown
The majority of GymHawks are underclassmen, with six freshmen, four sophomores and three seniors. There are no juniors.
Long-time Teammates
Freshman Alyssa Lopez and sophomore Jessica Morreale trained together at Energym in Dekalb, Ill. Both are coached by Morreale’s father, Andy Morreale.
Next Week
The GymHawks will travel to University Park, Pa. to take on No. 27 Penn State on Saturday, Jan. 26. Action is slated to start at 6 p.m. (CT) inside Rec Hall.
Follow The Hawkeyes
Web Address: hawkeyesports.com
Facebook: facebook.com/iowagymnastics
Twitter: twitter.com/iowagymnastics
YouTube: youtube.com/iowagymnastics