Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2016-17 | Hawk Talk Monthly — Dec. 2017
IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa women’s gymnasts Lanie Snyder and Clair Kaji were named to the 2018 Big Ten Women’s Gymnasts to Watch List, and the GymHawks were selected to finish third in the league, the conference announced Thursday.
A LOOK AT SNYDER AND KAJI
Snyder hails from Omaha, Nebraska. The senior competed in every meet during the 2017 season and owns Iowa’s individual season best on floor (9.950). She made the history books when she tied the third highest floor score (9.950) in Iowa history against Iowa State on March 4, 2017.
Snyder earned second team All-Big Ten honors during the 2017 regular season. She went on to garner all-championship team recognition at the Big Ten Championships after finishing fifth on floor (9.900) and ninth on bars (9.850). Outside of the gym, the senior also earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for the second consecutive year.
Kaji is a sophomore from Vancouver, Canada. She competed in every meet during the 2017 season and shared Iowa’s individual season best on beam (9.950). The sophomore tied the second highest beam score (9.950) and 10th highest floor score (9.925) in Iowa history.
Last season, Kaji earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week accolades twice (Jan. 23 and March 6). She was also selected to the All-Big Ten second team during the regular season. The sophomore finished fourth on beam (9.900) at the Big Ten Championships. She tied for first on beam (9.950) with teammate Angel Metcalf at the NCAA Regionals in Champaign, Illinois, and advanced to the NCAA Championships as an event specialist.
AS A TEAM
As a team, Iowa was picked to finish third in the Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
UP NEXT
The GymHawks open the 2018 season on the road against Iowa State and Arizona State in Tempe, Arizona on Jan. 6 at 5 p.m. (CT).
BIG TEN WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL
- Michigan
- Nebraska
- Iowa
- Ohio State
- Penn State
- Minnesota
- Illinois
- Michigan State
- Maryland
- Rutgers
BIG TEN WOMEN’S GYMNASTS TO WATCH LIST
Rae Balthazor, So., Illinois
Bridget Hodan, Sr., Illinois*
Clair Kaji, So., Iowa
Lanie Snyder, Sr., Iowa*
Alecia Farina, So., Maryland
Audrey Barber, Fr., Maryland
Olivia Karas, Jr., Michigan*
Brianna Brown, Sr., Michigan*
Gabriella Douglas, So., Michigan State
Lea Mitchell, Fr., Michigan State
Hannah Hitchcock, Sr., Minnesota
Lexy Ramler, Fr., Minnesota
Megan Schweihofer, Jr., Nebraska*
Sienna Crouse, Jr., Nebraska*
Jenna Swartzentruber, Fr., Ohio State
Alexis Mattern, Sr., Ohio State
Briannah Tsang, Sr., Penn State*
Lauren Bridgens, Fr., Penn State
Elizabeth Groden, Sr., Rutgers
Makenzey Shank, Sr., Rutgers
* denotes 2016-17 Academic All-Big Ten Honoree