Feb. 8, 2013
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The eighth-ranked University of Iowa men’s gymnastics team tied its season-high score and upset No. 6 Minnesota on Friday in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes outscored Minnesota, 422.750-419.450, to pick up their first dual victory of the season.
The Hawkeyes earned team event titles in four of six events, including the final two events, and had six top-two finishes. Freshman Eric Lofstrom won an event title on pommel horse, senior Anton Gryshayev won rings and senior Javier Balboa claimed the title on parallel bars and all-around.
“We had a few guys out of action, but everyone stepped up and made this a positive result,” said head coach J.D. Reive, referring to Matt Loochtan and Jack Boyle competing at the Winter Cup Challenge. “I think that it showed our depth and that all our hard work is starting to pay off. It’s good to have guys hitting sets and buying into the program.”
Iowa started the event on floor exercise, where Lofstrom led the Hawkeyes with a fifth place finish. Lofstrom scored a 14.100 while the Hawkeyes finished with a team score of 68.700 on the event.
The Hawkeyes would outscore Minnesota on pommel horse in their next rotation, scoring a 68.800. Lofstrom won the event with a 14.050, while senior Broderick Shemasnky placed runner-up with a 14.000. Freshman Doug Sullivan and senior Anton Gryshayev also had counting scores.
Iowa scored a 72.400 on rings, winning the event by nearly one full point. Gryshayev led the way for Iowa on the event, finishing with a 15.100. Balboa (15.050) and freshman William Albert (14.550) also provided counting scores.
Sophomore Brandon Field paced Iowa on vault with a 14.900, good enough for third place. Balboa and Albert also placed tied for fifth as the Hawkeyes finished with a 72.150 on the event.
Entering the final two rotations, the Hawkeyes held a narrow lead over the Golden Gophers. Iowa outscored Minnesota in both of the events to secure the victory. Iowa scored Minnesota, 72.600-69.150, on parallel bars led by Balboa’s 15.100. Redshirt-freshman Cyrus Dobre-Mofid placed runner-up (14.650), freshman Mitchell Landau and Jack McClay placed third and fourth, respectively.
Iowa topped Minnesota, 68.150-67.050, on high bar. Shemasnky (13.950) and sophomore Lance Alberhasky (13.900) led the way for the Hawkeyes.
“We feel short last week on the final two events against Oklahoma, so I was holding my breath,” said Reive. “They really pulled through strong. This was a big result for us and something that we needed to give us some momentum moving forward.”
Balboa won the all-around title with an 85.950. Albert (81.750), Alberhasky (81.550) and Shemasnky (80.050) also competed on all six events for Iowa.
The Hawkeyes return to action next week, competing at Illinois on Saturday in Champaign, Ill.