Feb. 2, 2013
Video Highlights: Hawkeyes vs. Sooners | Final Stats
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The No. 8 University of Iowa men’s gymnastics team fell to fourth-rated Oklahoma, 436.55-420.200, on Saturday night in its home-opener inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
“We’re looking for a full six events,” said head coach JD Reive. “P (parallel) bars is one of our strong events, so that has to be there. They need to take what they did tonight and go back in the gym and learn from the mistakes, and they will.”
The Hawkeyes took the lead through the first rotation, scoring a 71.550 on the floor exercise. Oklahoma, the 2011 and 2012 NCAA runner-up, posted a 71.200 on the pommel horse to open the competition. Freshman Matt Loochtan was the top finisher for Iowa, tying for fourth place with a 14.550. He was followed closely by sophomore Brandon Field (14.500).
Senior Broderick Shemansky and freshman Eric Lofstrom led the Hawkeyes on pommel horse, both scoring 13.500 to tie for sixth place. Iowa rounded out pommel horse with a 65.800, while Oklahoma posted a 73.700 on the floor.
Senior Anton Gryshayev, who won rings last time out at the Metroplex Challenge, finished first on rings with a score of 15.400. Senior Javier Balboa earned fifth (14.600), followed by freshman Jack Boyle in sixth (14.550). The Hawkeyes finished on rings with a 73.550.
Iowa scored 71.900 on vault, with Loochtan and sophomore William Albert tying for fourth place with a score of 14.500. Oklahoma posted a score of 74.050 on the rings and a 73.100 on the vault.
Junior Jack McClay led Iowa on the parallel bars, earning sixth place (14.250). Boyle was close behind with a score of 14.150, placing seventh. The Hawkeyes finished parallel bars with a score of 70.050. Oklahoma claimed the event with a score of 73.000.
Sophomore Lance Alberhasky earned third for Iowa on the high bar, finishing with a 14.500. Boyle tied Oklahoma’s William Clement for fourth place with a score of 14.300.
“The freshmen did a really good job, said Reive. “Lance Alberhasky did really well today. William Albert finally getting in on three events; it was nice to see him out there. That was the first time he’s done vault in a competition, so that was huge.”
Alberhasky placed second in the all-around with a score of 83.600. Balboa earned third place, finishing with 80.100. The Sooners’ Alec Robin claimed the all-around title with an 85.400.
“It’s crucial we start and finish all the way through, day-in and day-out,” said Reive. “I was proud of what they did tonight. They’re a great team, but they have some maturing to do. It’s going to happen; we made mistakes tonight that are key learning points. It’s really important that any mistake that is made stays on that event.”
Loochtan and Boyle will travel to Las Vegas to compete in the Winter Cup Challenge on Feb. 7 and Feb. 9. The rest of the Hawkeyes will host Minnesota at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Feb. 8, with action beginning at 1:00 p.m.