March 22, 2014
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team posted a season-best 195.375 in the first session of the Big Ten Championships on Sunday on the campus of Penn State, finishing seventh overall.
The score surpasses Iowa’s previous high of 195.350, which it posted against Boise State (2/28). Iowa competed with Michigan State (194.500), Ohio State (196.400), and Michigan (197.550) during the first session, while Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois, and Penn State battled it out during the second session.
The final scores for the Big Ten Championships were as follows: Michigan 197.550, Nebraska 196.95, Minnesota 196.675, Illinois 196.625, Penn State 196.475, Ohio State 196.4, Iowa 195.375, Michigan State 194.5.
“I am disappointed that we started the way we did,” said UI head coach Larissa Libby. “We wanted to come out with a statement, and it took us too long to get comfortable.”
Iowa opened the session on vault, posting a 49.025, which ties its season high, previously posted at Boise State (2/28). The Hawkeyes were paced by freshman Jordyn Doherty who tallied a 9.850 during the rotation.
Once on bars, junior Sydney Hoerr led the way for Iowa posting a 9.850 and ultimately adding to a total of 48.475. The GymHawks’ score stood third out of four with the team totals at 97.150 (Michigan State), 97.675 (Iowa), 98.150 (Ohio State), and 98.750 (Michigan).
Freshman Angel Metcalf paced Iowa on beam with a 9.850. Metcalf came in second on beam during the first session. Michigan’s Nicole Artz took the title with a 9.875.
The GymHawks registered a 48.475 on the apparatus, adding to their team total of 146.150 heading into the final rotation.
“I’m extremely pleased with the fight they had on the back half,” Libby said. “They were what they trained to be on those two events and to score your season high at a championship is an amazing accomplishment. I’m incredibly proud.”
Metcalf was a standout during the floor exercise, tallying a team-best 9.925, which also marked a season best individually. The efforts of the Hawkeyes led to a new season best on floor (49.225), surpassing their previous best of 49.100 against Ohio State on Feb. 14.
Metcalf came in fourth for the all-around title, registering a 39.325, which ties her all-around best that was previously tallied against Ohio State on Feb. 14.
