Jan. 14, 2015
- Read the January 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 hosts No. 22 Michigan State and Ball State in its home opener on Sunday. The meet is set to begin at 2 p.m. (CT) inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
LAST TIME OUT:
The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team dropped its 2015 season opener on the road at LSU in Baton Rouge, La., 197.123-193.300. Iowa posted its highest score on the floor, recording a 48.975. Junior Alie Glover paced the Hawkeyes, finishing third with a 9.850. Drenth followed in fourth with a score of 9.825, while senior Sydney Hoerr registered a 9.800.
 |
SCOUTING THE COMPETITION:
The Michigan State women’s gymnastics team fell short in their 2015 season opener against Bowling Green (194.775-194.075) on Jan. 10. The Spartans finished the 2014 season ranked 39th in the country. MSU finished sixth in the Big Ten regular season, and eighth at the Big Ten Cham- pionships.
Ball State’s women’s gymnastics team dropped their opening meet against two-time defending national champion Florida, 196.925 to 193.700 on Jan. 11. Last season, the Cardinals finished with an overall record of 2-13.
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 wel- comes 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 cap- tured her third all-around title last season season against No. 20 Ohio State on Feb. 14 in Iowa’s an- nual 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, Il- linois. 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.
IOWA SELECTED TO HOST 2016 NCAA REGIONAL:
The University of Iowa and Carver-Hawkeye Arena have been selected to host a 2016 NCAA Re- gional (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 com- petition. 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:
Iowa will travel to Columbus, Ohio, to take on Ohio State on Saturday, January 24. The meet is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. (CT) inside St. John Arena.
