COLUMBUS, Ohio – The 15th-ranked University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team posted a 196.900 against No. 10 Ohio State in their first Conference matchup of the season on Sunday afternoon inside the Covelli Center. The score is tied for fifth-best in program history.
Ohio State won the meet, 197.225 -196.900.
Iowa had a gymnast finish in the top three in each event, with JerQuavia Henderson placing in the top three in both vault and beam. Henderson and Linda Zivat tied for first place on vault after scoring 9.900s, and Adeline Kenlin and Henderson tied for second on beam after posting a pair of 9.900. Kendall LaPlante scored a 9.900 on bar to finish third place overall, and Kenlin secured the second-place spot after posting a career-high 9.925.
BARS
The Hawkeyes posted a season-high 49.200, with LaPlante earning her first top-three finish of her career after scoring a 9.900 to set a new career-high and place third overall. Kenlin made her season bar debut scoring a 9.850 to tie for fifth place with her teammate, Karina Muñoz. Both Allison Zuhlke and Marissa Rojas tied for eighth place after posting a 9.800. Ella Castellanos made her Hawkeye debut on bars and scored a 8.975.
VAULT
Iowa finished with a 49.075, with Henderson making her season debut on the event. Both Henderson and Zivat were major keys, scoring back-to-back 9.900 to tie for first place. Muñoz scored a 9.825 to tie for fifth, and Zuhlke posted a 9.775. LaPlante finished with a 9.675. Gianna Masella followed with a 9.625.
FLOOR
The GymHawks posted a 49.375. on floor, as Kenlin finished in second place after scoring a career-high 9.925. Henderson and Zivat both finished with a 9.875 to tie for fourth place. Bailey Libby matched her career-high, 9.850, to tie for seventh along with Muñoz. Aubrey Nick finished with a 9.800 to go into the final event down by .125.
BEAM
Iowa scored a 49.250 to set a new team season high. Henderson started the rotation posting a career-high, and Kenlin set a new season-high after anchoring with both scoring a 9.900 to tie for second place. Nick posted a 9.850, while both Zuhlke and Rojas added a pair of 9.800. Alexa Ebeling scored a 9.725 to help give the Hawkeyes their highest beam score of the season.
QUOTING HEAD COACH LARISSA LIBBY
“First of all I’m super excited because we’ve elevated each week. It’s our third meet in a row away, we haven’t even gone home yet. We’re using young kids, so they surprise me every single weekend. Just their resilience and their tenacity. Once the lights go down and the green flag goes up, they’re completely different every single time. I was watching that score going up and I just don’t really think the younger ones know what that means. We’ve never really done that in season, postseason yes. I think they’re just starting to finally believe in themselves more and realize what they’re capable of doing and being. I just couldn’t be more ecstatic for them and proud.”
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes host Minnesota in their home opener on Friday, January 27th. The meet is set to start at 6:30 p.m. (CT) and will celebrate the 50 years of Iowa women’s athletics. Tickets can be purchased at www.hawkeyesports.com.
