IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa’s Karina Muñoz has been named the Big Ten’s Co-Freshman of the week. It was announced Wednesday by the league office. The honor is Muñoz’s first of the season and her career. She shares the award with Nikki Smith from Michigan State.
The East Brunswick, New Jersey, native earned the distinction after scoring three 9.900s to set career highs on floor, bars, and vault to earn her second vault title and first bar title, as well as finishing second overall on floor against No. 22 Southern Utah and San Jose State on March 10.
The freshman is one of two Hawkeyes who has competed in the all-around event this season and has finished in the top-three both times. She has captured five event titles and finished in the top-three 12 times.
Muñoz is the first Hawkeyes to earn Co-Freshman of the week this season and is the fourth to earn Big Ten weekly honors. JerQuavia Henderson was named Event Specialist on Feb. 8 and 21. Linda Zivat was named Big Ten Tri-Specialist of the Week on Feb. 1, and Adeline Kenlin was named Big Ten Gymnast of the Week on Jan. 24.
The 25th-ranked University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team hosts the Big Ten Tournament this Saturday at the Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa. The Hawkeyes compete in the evening session with No. 2 Michigan, No. 9 Michigan State and No. 15 Ohio State. The meet is set to start at 4:30 p.m. (CT), will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network, and fans can follow along on Twitter (@IowaGymnastics) for live updates.