Dec. 8, 2013
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team opened the 2013-14 season with its annual Black and Gold Intrasquad on Sunday. The GymHawks were divided into two teams and showcased their routines at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The black team won the event with a total score of 146.025, while the gold team finished with a total of 144.7.
“It’s always exciting to get back into Carver because the atmosphere is different and that’s why we need to compete in here,” said Iowa head coach Larissa Libby. “They can feel the difference in their gymnastics because the crowd makes a huge difference and the size of this facility makes a difference because our gym is so tight and comfortable; so it puts them out of their comfort zone and that’s exactly what you’re looking for so they can get better over time.”
Coach Libby has high hopes and high expectations for this team, despite few upperclassmen. Iowa has made six straight NCAA postseason appearances.
“I don’t ever back off on expectations,” said Libby. “It only takes five; it takes five on every event so I still expect to challenge for a Big Ten Championship; I still expect to go (to NCAA’s) for the seventh-consecutive year. I expect it. If I don’t expect it, they will never believe that they’re good enough, and they are.”
The GymHawks kick off their season in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, hosting Utah State on Jan. 11 at 5 p.m. (CT).