Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | Hawk Talk Monthly — February 2018 | Iowa at Oklahoma
THIS WEEK
The ninth-ranked University of Iowa men’s gymnastics team travels to Norman, Oklahoma, to face the top-ranked Sooners on Saturday, Feb. 10, at the McCasland Field House. Competition is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. (CT).
FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can watch the meet online through Fox Sports Go. They can also follow along with live stats. A link to both is available on the Iowa men’s gymnastics schedule page at hawkeyesports.com. Fans can also follow along with live updates on Twitter (@mensgymiowa) and Facebook (/iowamensgymnastics).
LAST TIME OUT
- The Hawkeyes recorded their best team score of the season as they fell to Illinois, 404.700-401.850, on Feb. 3.
- Iowa recorded eight individual season-best and career-high scores and five team-best scores.
- Senior Dylan Ellsworth won the event title on vault with a 14.450.
- Senior Austin Hodges won the parallel bars title with a 13.850.
- Freshman Bennet Huang won the all-around crown with a career-high 79.450.
IN THE RANKINGS
- Iowa enters week five ranked ninth in the Coaches’ Poll. Oklahoma is ranked first.
- The Hawkeyes are ranked 10th on RoadtoNationals.com, with a 396.650 team average. The Sooners are ranked first, with a 414.825 team average.
SCOUTING THE SOONERS
- Oklahoma defeated Nebraska and Stanford in a tri-meet on Feb. 3.
- Junior Yul Mouldauer was named the NCAA and MPSF Gymnast of the Week on Feb. 6. Moldauer posted a national-best 87.150 in the all-around and took home three event titles against the Huskers and Cardinals.
- The Sooners defeated the Hawkeyes, 430.600-412.500, at day one of the NCAA Championships on April 21, 2017.
- Oklahoma is ranked first nationally on pommel horse, rings, parallel bars, and high bar. They’re also ranked second on vault and seventh on floor.
AROUND THE NATION
The Hawkeyes are ranked fourth nationally on pommel horse (66.213), eighth on high bar (64.925) and ninth on parallel bars (65.550).
POMMEL HORSE DOMINANCE
- Hodges is ranked sixth on pommel horse with a 13.963 NQA.
- Sophomore Nick Merryman is ranked eighth on pommel horse with a 13.750 NQA.
TOP-10 SCORES
- Hodges earned the nation’s fourth-highest pommel horse score (14.700) and ninth-highest parallel bars score (14.250) at the Windy City Invitational on Jan. 13.
- Merryman notched the nation’s eighth-highest pommel horse score (14.200) at the Windy City Invitational.
TITLE TRACKER
- Iowa has won nine event titles this season — three on parallel bars, two on pommel horse, and one on floor, rings, vault and the all-around.
- Hodges and Huang have won multiple event titles for the Hawkeyes. Hodges has three event titles — two on parallel bars and one on pommel. Huang has two titles — one of floor and one in the all-around.
HAWKEYE NEWCOMERS
All four Hawkeye freshmen competed against Illinois on Feb. 3.
- Chung tied for sixth on vault with a 13.750.
- Huang won the all-around crown with a career-high 79.450. He recorded career-high scores on high bar (13.600) and parallel bars (12.550).
- Taylor notched a career best 13.700 and tied for eighth on vault.
- Tommasone tied for 12th on rings with an 12.750.
TWO HAWKEYES NAMED TO WATCH LIST
Junior Rogelio Vazquez and freshman Bennet Huang were named to the 2018 Big Ten Men’s Gymnasts to Watch list, the conference office announced Dec. 14.
- Vazquez notched a season-best 13.800 to finish in second on rings against Illinois on Feb. 3.
- Huang, one of three freshmen on the list, won the all-around crown with a career-high 79.450. He recorded career-high scores on high bar (13.600) and parallel bars (12.550) against Illinois on Feb. 3.
RETURNING EXPERIENCE
Iowa returns 12-of-17 gymnasts from last season. Senior Dylan Ellsworth won the vault title and senior Austin Hodges won the parallel bars title against Illinois on Feb. 3.
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
The 2018 men’s gymnastics team breaks down into one redshirt senior, three seniors, three juniors, five sophomores, and four freshmen.
FOLLOW THE HAWKEYES
For an inside look at the Iowa men’s gymnastics program and access to exclusive coverage, “like” Iowa Men’s Gymnastics on Facebook and follow @mensgymiowa on Twitter and @iowamgym on Instagram.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes head to Las Vegas to compete at the Winter Cup Challenge on Feb. 15-17. The event will be held at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. Competition is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. (CT). on Feb. 15.