Dec. 10, 2015
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — Two University of Iowa women’s gymnasts — Angel Metcalf and Mollie Drenth – were recognized on the 2016 Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch List, announced by the conference office Thursday afternoon.
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“Angel and Mollie are coming off of a great year,” head coach Larissa Libby said. “They are full of experience and understand what it takes to get to the next level. Both of them will be very strong all-around competitors for us this season. I am excited to see them start off where they finished last year and watch where they go this year.”
Metcalf, who was featured on the 2014 Big Ten Watch List, hails from Swansboro, North Carolina. The junior registered Iowa’s individual season bests on beam (9.900 at No. 20 Ohio State, Jan. 24) and in the all-around (39.400 vs. No. 15 Illinois, Feb. 14) last season. She earned fourth on floor (9.900), 19th in the all-around (38.575) and 26th place on bars (9.825) at the Big Ten Championships on March 21, and was named to the All-Championship Team for her efforts. She ended the season at the NCAA Auburn Regional on April 4 with a fifth place finish in the all-around (39.175) and 12th place result on bars (9.800).
Drenth, a 2015 Big Ten All-Championship Team member, is a junior from Riverview, Florida. She competed in every meet last season and owns Iowa’s individual season best on uneven bars (9.925). Drenth earned the first Big Ten Event Specialist of the Week accolade of her career on March 16 after capturing an event title on bars (9.925) at the Big Five meet. Last season, the junior earned a second place finish on beam (9.900) and a ninth place finish on bars (9.775) at the Big Ten Championships on March 21. Drenth ended the season at the NCAA Auburn Regional where she earned ninth on bars (9.825) and eighth in the all-around (39.050).
“They are both really great athletes and great teammates,” said Libby. “We have a lot of girls in this position on our team, but these are the two I see taking the team to the next level.”
The GymHawks open their 2016 season on the road at the Cancun Classic on January 2.
BIG TEN WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL
1. Michigan
2. Nebraska
3. Illinois
4. Penn State
5. Ohio State
6. Minnesota
7. Iowa
8. Michigan State
9. Maryland
10. Rutgers
BIG TEN WOMEN’S GYMNASTS TO WATCH LIST
Lizzy Leduc, Fr., Illinois
Giana O’Connor, Sr., Illinois
Mollie Drenth, Jr., Iowa
Angel Metcalf, Jr., Iowa
Abbie Epperson, So., Maryland
Kathy Tang, Sr., Maryland
Nicole Artz, Jr., Michigan
Olivia Karas, Fr., Michigan
Lisa Burt, Sr., Michigan State
Elena Lagoski, Jr., Michigan State
Ciara Gardner, So., Minnesota
Lindsay Mable, Sr., Minnesota
Hollie Blanske, Sr., Nebraska
Ashley Lambert, Jr., Nebraska
Taylor Harrison, So., Ohio State
Kaitlyn Hofland, Fr., Ohio State
Kiera Brown, Jr., Penn State
Briannah Tsang, So., Penn State
April Baker, Jr., Rutgers
Elizabeth Groden, So., Rutgers
