Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2016-17 | Hawk Talk Monthly — Jan. 2017
| IOWA GYMNASTICS VS. NEBRASKA |
| Dates | Sunday, Feb. 5 | 1:00 p.m. (CT) |
| Location | Lincoln, Nebraska | Bob Devaney Sports Center |
| Live Stream | Nebraska Live Stream |
| Live Stats | Huskers.com |
| Live Update | @IowaGymnastics |
BY:MADISON PETERSEN
LINCOLN, Nebraska – The No. 22 University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team travels Lincoln, Nebraska, to face off against No. 20 Nebraska on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. (CT).
“Nebraska is a Big Ten powerhouse with a tradition of winning,” said UI head coach Larissa Libby. “They joined the conference in 2011 and have won the conference twice since then. It’s stressful, but exciting, competing against them. You’ve got to be prepared, but I know that we are ready.”
The Hawkeyes enter their fourth conference match undefeated in the Big Ten with a conference record of 3-0 and an overall record of 5-2. They clenched their third conference win of the season last Sunday against Maryland, 195.975-193.800. With this win the Hawkeyes are ranked second in the Big Ten Conference.
Sunday’s competition was highlighted with eight event titles. Freshman Charlotte Sullivan won the all-around with a score of 38.775. Sullivan, senior Angel Metcalf, and junior Melissa Zurawski all registered a career-high 9.925 to tie for the win on uneven bars. Zurawski earned Co-Gymnast of the Week honors for her accomplishments.
Metcalf and senior Lexi Mura went on to tie for first overall on beam with scores of 9.825. Senior Mollie Drenth took the title on vault with a season-best 9.875, while freshman Clair Kaji earned her third title of the season on floor with a 9.900 to tie her season best.
“We made a lot of uncharacteristic mistakes last week, and we’ve spent this past week trying to fix those,” said Libby. “My hope this week is that we are a little bit sharper, a little crisper, and a little more effective in the game plan. I think being on the road will help the team, as their schedule will be regimented, and they will be more focused.”
Nebraska is currently ranked fourth in the Big Ten with a conference record of 2-1 and an overall record of 4-1. Nebraska fell to No. 7 Michigan, 197.225-194.800, last Saturday. With the loss, the Cornhuskers fell eight spots (from No. 12 to No. 20) nationally and four spots (from first to fourth) in the conference. The Cornhuskers return eight letterwinners off their 2016 NCAA Nationals squad, including Big Ten Championship Team honorees Jennie Leang and Grace Williams.
Fans can follow the GymHawks as they take on Nebraska on Sunday through live stats on hawkeyesports.com. Fans can also follow @IowaGymnastics on Twitter and Instagram or on Facebook Live at facebook.com/iowagymnastics.