McGrath Honored as College Gymnast Association's Gymnast of the Week

McGrath Honored as College Gymnast Association's Gymnast of the Week

March 21, 2014

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Redshirt senior Matt McGrath has been selected as the College Gymnast Association’s Gymnast of the Week. McGrath led the seventh-ranked Hawkeyes to upset victories over No. 5 Minnesota and No. 6 Illinois, while also defeating No. 8 Air Force and No. 12 Nebraska on Saturday, March 15 in Lincoln, Neb. The CGA honor is the first for McGrath’s career.

The No. 7 Hawkeyes won the meet and set a new school record with a team score of 437.250, while being paced by McGrath. McGrath won the floor exercise (15.600) and vault (15.300) titles and finished runner-up on still rings (15.350). His performance on floor tied the school record, which was previously set by fellow teammate Matt Loochtan at Minnesota on March 8.

Earlier this week, McGrath was also named the Big Ten Gymnast of the Week for the second time in his career.

McGrath, a Wheaton, Ill. native, was also nominated for the Nissan-Emery Award, which is awarded to college gymnastics top senior athlete each season for their athletic and academic achievements.

The Iowa men’s gymnastics team will return to Lincoln, Neb., on March 28-29 to compete in the Big Ten Championships. The meet will be shown live on the Big Ten Network.