IOWA CITY, Iowa – The 30th-ranked University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team fell short to No. 13 Ohio State, 197.125-196.075, Friday evening inside of Carver-Hawkeye Arena in its final home meet of the season.
The GymHawks celebrated the gymnastics careers of five seniors tonight: Ella Castellanos, Adeline Kenlin, Kendall Laplante, Aubrey Nick, and Allison Zuhlke. Five Hawkeyes secured spots in the top three on the night. Sophomores Karina Muñoz and Alyse Karenbauer each took a share of second place on floor, both hitting near-perfect routines. Muñoz tied for first overall on beam and junior Ilka Juk landed in third on the apparatus. Muñoz took second place in the all-around.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH LARISSA LIBBY
“I know who we are, and I refuse to believe that we can’t do this. So, we’re going to go back and keep plugging away, and I will do my best to figure out what I can do to help make what happens in practice happen in competition. As a total package, they are twice as good as what they put out here today. I’m never disappointed in them, I’m disappointed for them, because I know how hard they have been training and how bad they want to win. Our next step is to sort out our mistakes and figure out how to get stronger. There were thousands of fans here today and I am happy that our seniors got to see that for their last home meet.”
VAULT
The GymHawks posted a team score of 48.950 on vault. Sophomore Avery Chambers kicked off the evening earning a 9.750. Hanna Castillo recorded a 9.775, just off her season best. Reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Week, Eva Volpe, stuck her vault performance with a 9.850, tying her career high score. In the anchor position, Muñoz landed a solid 9.825.
BARS
In the second rotation, the Hawkeyes recorded a team score of 48.800. Volpe and Muñoz each posted a 9.800, leading the apparatus for the GymHawks. Juk and sophomore Gianna Masella each registered a 9.750.
BEAM
The GymHawks recorded a team score of 48.925. Juk stuck her landing and registered a stellar 9.850. Senior Aubrey Nick performed for her last time in Carver-Hawkeye arena and made it count, posting a 9.825. Muñoz, ranked 26th in Big Ten Individual Rankings on beam, stuck a 9.900 in the anchor position to tie her season best. Muñoz tied for first place overall in the rotation.
FLOOR
Iowa secured the rotation win on the floor with a team score of 49.400. Karenbauer started the final rotation off strong, earning a near perfect score of 9.900 on her performance and bettering her career high score. Castillo continued the motivation, striking a 9.875. Volpe wrapped up her all-around night with a 9.875, surpassing her personal best. Muñoz ended the night with a bang posting another 9.900, besting her season high and matching her career best. Bailey Libby was a strong anchor, ringing in a 9.850.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes will travel to University Park, Pennsylvania for the Big Five Meet hosted by Penn State on Feb. 24. Action inside of the of the White Building will begin at 3:30 p.m. and will be streamed on B1G+ (subscription needed).