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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team won its home opener with a 195.550 over Ball State (192.775) and Air Force (188.650) on Saturday.
The underclassmen led the Hawkeyes with wins on the uneven bars, floor, and all-around competitions. Sophomore Alex Greenwald earned a career-high 9.875 on bars, sophomore Lauren Guerin tabbed her first 9.900 on floor this season, and Bridget Killian concluded her first collegiate all-around with a 38.975.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH LARISSA LIBBY
“I thought that we were far more loose, happy, energetic in Orlando, than we were here. It took us a whole rotation to get going. They were almost nervous — probably, because they know everyone here. It was great after that, but we had a rough start when it came to emotion.”
“The freshman and sophomore class together have been incredible. I feel like we are going to be well taken care of with those two classes. There is a lot of leadership and a lot of good character and integrity. They take care of each other so well, which is great to see from kids that are so young. Out here on the floor, they wanted to be better than they were the last time.”
“I’m increasingly impressed with Lauren (Guerin) all the time. She has grown up a lot. Her talent is undeniable. He being able to hit on both vault and floor… and then still hit beam, which is a new event for her, has been amazing to watch. She is growing mentally.”
“Bridget (Killian) and Alex (Greenwald) do not always get recognition, but they are the glue that holds us together. Alex put up a 9.875 on her hardest event today. They are consistent.”
VAULT
Iowa started the day on vault with a score of 48.600. Sophomore Lauren Guerin led the GymHawks for the second consecutive meet, earning a 9.775. Sophomore Bridget Killian and freshmen Madelyn Solomon followed with a pair of 9.725s. Freshman Allyson Steffensmeier recorded a 9.700 and sophomore Alex Greenwald added a 9.675 to round out the Hawkeyes score.
UNEVEN BARS
The GymHawks continued on uneven bars, scoring 49.075. Greenwald (9.875), Steffensmeier (9.850), freshman Ellie Rogers (9.825), senior Clair Kaji (9.775), and sophomore Carina Tolan (9.750) went 1-2-3-4-5, claiming the best bar scores of the night, improving nearly three points on the event from the previous week.
BEAM
Iowa’s beam rotation matched last week’s, staying consistent at 48.700. Kaji led her underclassmen teammates with a 9.800, tying for second. Sophomore Allie Gilchrist followed up with a 9.775, while Killian earned a 9.750, freshman Dani Castillo scored a 9.700, and Guerin closed the Hawkeyes’ event score with a 9.675.
FLOOR
The final event for the Hawkeyes was floor, where the team earned its highest score of the night (49.175). Guerin led the Hawkeyes once again with a 9.900 to take first place on the event. Killian and Greenwald tied for third with 9.850s, and Solomon and fellow freshman Ariana Agrapides earned 9.825s to tie for fifth.
UP NEXT
The GymHawks head to Maryland to compete on Jan. 19 for their first Big Ten competition of the season. The meet will begin at 11 a.m. (CT).
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