March 23, 2013
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EAST LANSING, Mich. — The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team rebounded from its deficit on beam but could not surpass its opponents. The Hawkeyes finished eighth (193.400) at the Big Ten Championships.
Nebraska won its second Big Ten title with a score of 197.800. Michigan earned second (197.225), followed by Minnesota (196.775), Illinois (196.475), Ohio State (195.950), Penn State (195.825) and Michigan State (195.450). Nebraska junior Emily Wong won the all-around title with 39.725.
Freshman Kyra Trowbridge led Iowa on beam, floor and vault. The Fredericksburg, Va., native tied her season-best 9.900 on floor for the fifth time, tying for sixth place on the event.
“Obviously we’re extremely disappointed because we came prepared,” said head coach Larissa Libby. “The weaknesses in our lineups were exposed tonight. I’m thankful that we have another shot at Regionals.”
The Hawkeyes started on beam, tallying 46.550. Trowbridge paced Iowa, scoring 9.675, and freshman Alie Glover contributed 9.600. The next four competitors fell off the beam, forcing Iowa to count three low scores. Sophomore Sydney Hoerr scored 8.925, sophomore Emma Willis posted 9.225, sophomore Caitlin Tanzer added 9.000, and freshman Opua Calucag scored 9.050.
Iowa picked it up on floor, earning 49.100. Trowbridge led the Hawkeyes with 9.900, the second-highest floor score of the session. Senior Emma Stevenson and Willis posted a pair of 9.850s, and freshman Maryah Huntley made collegiate debut, scoring 9.800. Huntley learned her floor routine only five days prior to the competition and anchored the event. Hoerr earned 9.700, and Iowa dropped Glover’s 8.850.
In the third rotation, Iowa moved to the vault and posted 48.650. Trowbridge earned the highest Hawkeye vault score (9.825), while Glover trailed with 9.775. Senior Maya Wickus earned 9.725, Willis posted 9.700, Hoerr added 9.625, and freshman Adara Griffin scored 9.500.
Iowa finished on bars, earning the highest bars score of the session (49.100). Stevenson led Iowa, posting 9.875. Hoerr earned 9.850, Glover and Wickus contributed 9.800, Willis added 9.775, and Griffin scored 9.625.
“We scored 49.100 on two events,” said Libby. “That shows that we have it, and now it’s a mental game. It’s not about the skills. It’s about shutting down everything that’s going on around you and concentrating. We have ten days to figure it out.”
After all conference championships are complete, 36 teams in Division I women’s gymnastics will be selected to compete throughout six different regional sites, fighting for a berth in the NCAA Championship. Regional competitions will be held April 6.