Kenlin Advances to NCAAs; Hawkeyes Post 2nd-Best Score All-Time

RALEIGH, N.C. — Sophomore Adeline Kenlin advanced to the NCAA Championships after scoring a 9.950 on the balance beam during Thursday’s action. The Iowa City, Iowa, native is the first Hawkeye to move on since Clair Kaji in 2017.

The top scoring individual on each event (not on an advancing team) advances to the NCAA Championships. Kenlin, who scored a 9.950 to finish second on the event, is the 11th Hawkeye individual to advance to the NCAA Championships and the second on the beam (Kaji).

Iowa closed out its season by scoring a 197.075 on Saturday in the NCAA Raleigh Regional final. The score is the second-highest all-time, trailing only the 197.150 set in 2004. The Gymhawks posted five of the top seven times in program history this season and the 197 was just the third all-time in the record books.

Michigan claimed the regional title, finishing with a 197.800, followed by Missouri with a 197.425. The Wolverines and Tigers both advance to the NCAA Championships in Fort Worth, Texas. UCLA was third with a 197.400 and Iowa was fourth with its 197.075.

QUOTING HEAD COACH LARISSA LIBBY
“It’s hard to explain. Last year we felt so awful. It was not a good feeling walking away from (this event). This year, we got to the Sweet 16 when nobody thought we had a shot to make it once we got into this bracket.

“We showed up on the right day, so that was an amazing feeling. At the end of it, I have been dreading this moment since the end of the seniors’ freshman year. How it would end and how awful it would feel, losing these kids.

“The one thing I didn’t want as they were going through this year, is I never wanted them to regret or think they didn’t impact us this year. I didn’t want it to end early and not be ourselves and have a blast out there and do great gymnastics.

“There is going to be nobody that looks at that competition and say we didn’t belong. We put our foot down on the pedal and went the whole time. We elevated with each event, and we stayed in the mix until the very last score.

“I am sad that the seven seniors are finished, but I don’t feel sad. I feel complete. I feel we did everything we could and put it all out there. One of those teams is the defending national champions and another is made up of Olympians and National Team members.

“I don’t feel like we didn’t do a great job and send the message that we should not be overlooked. I am very proud of this team and am excited for the seniors that they were able to finish this way. I am thrilled for Adeline, that she is moving on and that the Hawkeyes are still represented at the National Championships. That was the goal, and this is the start.”