GymHawks Post Season-Highs on 3 Events Against No. 20 Minnesota

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team fell to No. 20 Minnesota, 197.325-195.625, in its home opener on Sunday afternoon inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The GymHawks saw multiple season and career-best performances, including freshman Aurélie Tran, who claimed the all-around title with a season-high 39.475. Senior Emily Erb tied for the top score on floor with a career-best 9.925, while Iowa achieved season-high team scores on vault, bars and floor.

VAULT

Iowa opened the meet with a season-best 49.250 on vault. Tran and junior Karina Muñoz led the GymHawks, each posting a 9.875. Junior Avery Chambers and sophomore Eva Volpe both recorded season-highs with scores of 9.850, while juniors Hanna Castillo and Gianna Masella both contributed solid scores of 9.800. Four GymHawks set or matched season highs in this rotation.

BARS

The GymHawks kept the momentum going in the second rotation, posting another season-best 49.125 on bars. Masella stuck her routine to earn a season-high 9.875 and take first place in the event. Tran and junior Kaia Vanney tied for third-place with scores of 9.850, with Vanney’s score marking a career-best. Muñoz added a 9.825 for a season-high, and freshman Sydney Turner contributed a solid 9.725, also setting a season-high.

BEAM

Iowa scored a 48.200 on beam in the third rotation. Senior Haley Tyson delivered a standout routine, scoring a career-high 9.900 to tie for second-place on the apparatus. Tran matched her season best posting a 9.850, and freshman Cassie Lee contributed a 9.400. Senior Ilka Juk anchored the lineup with a strong 9.850, tying her season-high. Volpe and Turner added scores of 9.200 and 8.675, respectively.

FLOOR

The GymHawks closed out the meet on floor, earning a season-high, 49.050. Volpe opened the rotation and recorded a 9.625. Erb delivered a stunning routine scoring a career-high, 9.925 to tie for first place in the event. Tran followed with a season-best 9.900 to tie for third. Castillo earned a 9.875, also a season-best, and Masella added a 9.725.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH JEN LLEWELLYN

“The crowd was electric and it was awesome to see how many people showed up and were locked in for the entire meet. We didn’t necessarily close out the competition the way we wanted to after starting lights out on vault and beam but everyone stayed strong and we still saw a lot of great things. Overall, still a lot of room to improve before we head to Nebraska next weekend.”

UP NEXT

The GymHawks travel to Lincoln, Nebraska, on Saturday, Feb. 1, to face the Cornhuskers. Action inside the Bob Devaney Sports Center will begin at 7:00 p.m. (CT) and will be streamed live on B1G+ (subscription required).