Jan. 7, 2015
- Read the latest issue of Hawk Talk Monthly
- 2014 Media Guide
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPad/iPhone app!
- Download your Hawk Talk Monthly iOS app
- Download your Hawk Talk Monthly android app
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
THIS WEEK:
The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team opens its 2015 season Friday at No. 3 LSU at 7:30 p.m. (CT). The meet will be held at the Maravich Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
FOLLOW THE ACTION:
Follow @iowagymnastics on Twitter for live updates, and visit the women’s gymnastics schedule page on hawkeyesports.com for links to live scoring. The event will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
 |
IN THE RANKINGS:
The GymHawks are receiving votes in the 2015 GymInfo Gymnastics Preseason Coaches Poll.
ALMA MATER:
Iowa head coach Larissa Libby was a collegiate gymnast at Louisiana State University. She was a four-year team captain and the Central Region bar champion in 1995. Libby graduated from LSU in 1996. Before joining the Iowa staff, Libby served four years as the assistant women’s coach at LSU. While at LSU, she produced nine beam All-Americans, the top-ranked beam team in 1999, and helped coach LSU to four consecutive NCAA championship team appearances.
SCOUTING LSU:
The LSU Tigers are coached by D-D Breaux. Breaux has served as head coach at LSU for the last 37 years. LSU returns 11 letterwinners and seven All-Americans from last year’s squad that registered the highest finish in school history with a third-place result in the NCAA Super Six.
ROSTER BREAKDOWN:
The majority of GymHawks are underclassmen, with six freshmen, six sophomores, three juniors, and three seniors on the roster.
HAWKEYE NEWCOMERS:
This season, the Hawkeyes welcome six newcomers — Ashley Fischer, Lanie Snyder, Melissa Zurawski, Nikki Youd, Jori Robertson, and Megan Ruzicka — to the 2015 squad. Iowa also welcomes new additions to the coaching staff. Assistant coach Jennifer Green comes to Iowa after serving as an assistant coach at the University of Missouri for two years and Caleb Phillips returns to Iowa, where he previously coached from 2008-13.
METCALF, HOERR NAMED TO BIG TEN WATCH LIST:
Angel Metcalf and Sydney Hoerr have been named to the 2015 Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch List. Metcalf, one of six sophomores to make the list, hails from Swansboro, North Carolina. She captured her third all-around title last season season against No. 20 Ohio State on Feb. 14 in Iowa’s annual Pink Meet. Metcalf improved her all-around score to 39.325. She previously posted a season best at Georgia (39.100). Metcalf received a bid to NCAA Regionals with five of her teammates to compete in the all-around. She competed in 12 meets last season, nine of which she competed for the all-around title. Her season-best all-around score of 39.325 has been tallied twice; the most recent at the 2014 Big Ten Championships.
Hoerr, who was also featured on the 2014 Big Ten Watch List, is a senior from Bloomington, Illinois. The 2014 second team All-Big Ten honoree registered Iowa’s individual season bests on the uneven bars (9.900 at Iowa State, March 7) and floor exercise (9.875 at Georgia, Jan. 20) last season. She competed in all 12 meets in addition to NCAA Regionals, while competing in the all-around in seven competitions. Hoerr led Iowa on the bars with a regional qualifying score of 9.855, tying for 54th nationally. Hoerr is also an Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
LAST TIME OUT:
The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team concluded the 2014 season at NCAA Regionals in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as five Hawkeyes were selected for NCAA Regional competiton. Alie Glover, Angel Metcalf, and Sydney Hoerr were selected as all-around competitors, while Jordyn Doherty competed on vault and Mollie Drenth competed on floor.
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.
HEAD COACH Larissa Libby:
Larissa Libby enters her 11th year as head coach, and 15th year overall, at the University of Iowa in 2014-15. In 2014, six Hawkeyes were selected for NCAA Regional competition. Alie Glover, Angel Metcalf, and Sydney Hoerr were selected as all-around competitors, while Jordyn Doherty competed on vault and Mollie Drenth competed on floor. Maryah Huntley was selected as the alternate behind Drenth on floor. Libby coached Hoerr to second team All-Big Ten honors, while Hoerr, Caitlin Tanzer and Glover earned Academic All-Big Ten honors. Libby led Iowa to its sixth-consecutive NCAA postseason appearance, the seventh in her tenure, in 2013.
PRACTICE FACILITY RENOVATION:
The women’s gymnastics team is amidst a practice facility renovation. The gym — located in the UI Field House — is scheduled to be completed in February 2015.? The renovation will include new equipment, more space to train, and enhanced safety and resources for Hawkeye student-athletes.
SEASON TICKETS:
Fans interested in attending 2015 home meets at Carver-Hawkeye Arena should visit hawkeyesports.com or contact the UI Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800 IA-HAWKS. Fans purchasing season tickets ($15) will gain admission to four home competitions at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, including three against league opponents (Michigan State/Ball State, Maryland, Illinois) and the home finale against in-state rival Iowa State. All youth, 18 and younger, and UI students are admitted free to all home events.
FOLLOW THE HAWKEYES:
A member of the Iowa gymnastics staff will offer interactive Twitter content live at every event this season via @iowagymnastics. This feature gives Hawkeye fans the opportunity to stay up to date on the latest news and scores during every meet.
Web Address — hawkeyesports.com (check the schedule page for live stats and live streams)
Facebook — facebook.com/iowagymnastics
Twitter — twitter.com/iowagymnastics
YouTube — youtube.com/iowagymnastics
UP NEXT:
The GymHawks host Ball State and Michigan State on Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. (CT) at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in their home opener.
