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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The No. 30 University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team heads into a doubleheader weekend, starting Friday at Iowa State for the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series hosted in Ames, Iowa, at 6:30 p.m. (CT). On Sunday, the GymHawks host West Virginia at 1 p.m. (CT) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena for Princess and Superhero Day.
Iowa enters the eighth week of the season with a National Qualifying Score (NQS) of 195.675.
The GymHawks have an overall record of 5-9 and 2-7 in the Big Ten. Iowa currently ranks 20th on floor with sophomore Lauren Guerin leading the team and ranking 18th nationally with a 9.905 NQS. Iowa earned a season-best team score on floor (49.275) at The Big Five Meet in Toledo, Ohio, on Feb. 21.
Sophomore Bridget Killian earned a 9.875 on vault placing fifth and sophomore Mackenzie Vance earned a career-high 9.800 on the uneven bars. Junior Erin Castle competed in all-around for her career debut and finished with a 39.100 at the Big Five Meet.
The Hawkeyes are coming off a week break of competition, “I think it was perfect timing for us to come down a little bit,” Iowa head coach Larissa Libby said. “It gave us a chance to do a lot more work without being focused on having to peak for the end.”
Iowa State enters Friday’s meet with an overall record of 8-6 and 1-2 in the Big 12 conference. The Cyclones are coming off a top-25 match up over Michigan State on Feb. 28, beating the Spartans 196.225-194.175.
Iowa State ranks No. 12 nationally on the uneven bars with a season-high team score of 49.375. Junior Natalia Ros Vaquer leads the Cyclones with a season high 9.950.
The Cyclones recorded their best floor score since 2018 with a 49.425. Junior Andrea Maldonado led, tying her career-high (9.950) for the third time. Freshman Maddie Diab followed with a 9.900 along with sophomore Ana Palacios contributing her career-best score of 9.875.
On Sunday afternoon, the GymHawks go head-to-head with West Virginia at home. West Virginia is ranked 31st, overall, with an 11-7 record and a 195.600 NQS. On March 1, the Mountaineers recorded a season-best score of 196.425 falling short to Rutgers.
West Virginia ranks No. 26 on floor, averaging 49.047 on floor and with three Mountaineers posting 9.900s and above this season.
West Virginia is also ranked No. 36 on beam, all six gymnasts scored 9.800 or better, giving the Mountaineers a season-high score of 49.225 against Rutgers on Sunday.
Sunday’s meet will feature a meet and greet with princesses and superheroes. Doors open to the general public at noon, but Girl Scouts are invited to Carver-Hawkeye Arena at 11:30 a.m. and should enter through the West Entrance. Fans are encouraged to dress up. Following the meet, the GymHawks will sign autographs.
