Jan. 22, 2014
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THIS WEEK:
The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team hosts No. 9 Nebraska on Friday in its Big Ten opener. The dual is set to begin at 7 p.m. (CT) at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
SCOUTING NEBRASKA:
Nebraska (3-0) is ranked No. 9 nationally. The Huskers defeated No. 3 Alabama, 196.250-196.050, and No. 20 Kentucky (194.650) at the Ozone Collegiate Classic last weekend. Senior Emily Wong led the Huskers in the victory, finishing first on floor (9.95), second on bars (9.875), tied for second on vault (9.875), third on beam (9.85) and won the all-around competition posting a 39.55.
HAWKEYES POST SEASON BEST AT GEORGIA:
The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team posted a season-best score of 194.675 at sixth-ranked Georgia on Monday, improving its team score by nearly six points from its previous outing at Ball State (188.875). Iowa posted season-highs on each event with a 48.350 on vault, a 48.775 on bars, 48.550 on beam and a 49.000 on floor. The Gym Dogs, fresh off a win over No. 2 LSU, posted a season-high 197.400 to win the dual. The score marked the second-highest score recorded in the nation this year.
METCALF CLAIMS ALL-AROUND TITLES:
Freshman Angel Metcalf has competed in the all-around competition in all three duals, winning two titles (Utah State, at Ball State) and finishing second at Georgia with a season-best 39.100. She posted a 38.975 in the season opener in Iowa City against Utah State (Jan. 11) and a 38.650 at Ball State (Jan. 17).
GYMHAWKS TO MAKE 3 BTN APPEARANCES:
The GymHawks will make three appearances on the Big Ten Network during the 2014 season. The three appearances equal the most of any of the eight league teams. The Hawkeyes will make their season debut on BTN when they travel to Illinois on Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. (CT). The dual will be televised as a tape delay on Feb. 1. Iowa can be seen live on BTN when it faces Michigan, Minnesota, and Penn State in the B1G Quad Meet in Ann Arbor, Mich., on March 15 at 12:30 p.m. (CT). The meet is a new addition to the schedule. The Big Ten Championships, slated for March 22 in University Park, Pa., can also be seen live on the network.
SEASON TICKETS:
Fans interested in attending 2014 home meets at Carver-Hawkeye Arena should visit hawkeyesports.com or contact the UI Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800 IA-HAWKS. The 2014 regular season includes four home competitions, two of which are against Big Ten foes Nebraska and Ohio State. Season tickets are currently on sale for $15 for adults. The season ticket package includes premium seating options and one Iowa women’s gymnastics t-shirt. All youth, 18 and younger, and UI students are admitted free to home matches.
HEAD COACH Larissa Libby:
Entering her 10th year as head coach of the Hawkeyes, Libby has her eyes set on a seventh-consecutive NCAA postseason appearance, the eighth in her tenure. During the 2013 regular season, Iowa clinched the Cy-Hawk Series, defeating Iowa State with a season-best, 196.375-194.575. Iowa was the only Big Ten team to down Minnesota, the regular season Big Ten Co-Champions. The Hawkeyes beat the Gophers, 195.725-195.550. Iowa found success off the floor as well, as four GymHawks — Sydney Hoerr, Emma Stevenson, Kaitlynn Urano and Emma Willis — received Academic All-Big Ten honors. In 2012, the Hawkeyes finished the season ranked 26th nationally, the team’s highest finish since 2004.
HAWKEYE NEWCOMERS:
The Hawkeyes welcome seven newcomers to the 2014 squad: Jordyn Doherty, Mollie Drenth, Ashleigh Edlin, Amanda Kowalski, Caroline McCrady, Angel Metcalf, and Lexi Mura. At Georgia, the vault line-up featured all freshmen. In total, 17 of the 24 routines were completed by freshmen.
ROSTER BREAKDOWN:
The majority of GymHawks are underclassmen, with seven freshmen, four sophomores and three juniors. There are no seniors on the roster.
2 NAMED TO BIG TEN WATCH LIST:
Two University of Iowa women’s gymnasts — Alie Glover and Sydney Hoerr — appear on the 2014 Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch List. Glover — one of three league sophomores named to the list — was the only GymHawk to compete in the all-around in all 12 meets in 2013 as a freshman. The Destin, Fla., native was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Feb. 8 last season after posting a career-high 39.050 for the all-around title against Michigan State and Illinois-Chicago. Glover scored 9.700 or better on bars 11-of-12 times, posting a career-high 9.825 at Southern Utah. Hoerr, an Academic All-Big Ten honoree, is a junior from Bloomington, Ill. She competed in the all-around in 10 meets last season. Hoerr won the bars title at Southern Utah with a career-best and team season-high 9.925, and won the all-around against Iowa State with a career-best and team season-high 39.400.
IN THE RANKINGS:
Two Big Ten women’s gymnastics teams (No. 5 Michigan and No. 9 Nebraska) are ranked in the top 10 nationally, while three others (No. 11 Illinois, No. 13 Minnesota, and No. 23 Ohio State) sit in the top 25.
Michigan holds the No. 6 rank on vault (49.263), as well as No. 6 on bars (49.163). Illinois is No. 2 on beam (49.175) and Minnesota is No. 4 on floor (49.342).
A LOOK BACK AT 2013:
In 2013, the GymHawks were selected to compete in NCAA Regional competition for the sixth-straight year under head coach Larissa Libby. The GymHawks were one of just 36 teams to receive an invitation to regional competition at one of six different sites. Iowa scored 194.475 for sixth place, while No. 2 Oklahoma won the meet, totaling 197.375. No. 11 Stanford earned second (196.800) followed by No. 22 Washington (195.925), No. 14 Penn State (195.875) and Southern Utah (194.850).
IOWA SELECTED TO HOST 2016 NCAA REGIONAL:
The University of Iowa and Carver-Hawkeye Arena have been selected to host a 2016 NCAA Regional (April 2, 2016) in women’s gymnastics. Iowa last hosted an NCAA Regional in 2009.
UP NEXT:
The GymHawks head to Champaign, Ill. to take on No. 11 Illinois on Friday, Jan. 31. The dual is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. (CT) inside Huff Hall.
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