GymHawks Finish 2nd at Big Four Meet

CORALVILLE, Iowa – The University of Iowa gymnastics team delivered a strong performance, finishing second at the Big Four Meet with a 196.125 on Sunday night inside Xtream Arena.

No. 7 Michigan State took first place with a 197.150, Washington took third with a 195.650 and No. 25 Penn State rounded out the standings scoring a 195.475. 

Junior Karina Muñoz led the way for the Hawkeyes, securing a first-place finish in the all-around scoring 39.225, followed by freshman Aurélie Tran scoring 39.200 to clinch second-place. In team competition, the GymHawks posted a season-best team score of 49.175 on bars. Junior Emily Erb tied for first place on floor with a 9.900, and freshman Sydney Turner delivered an impressive 9.900 on bars to tie for third overall.

BEAM
The GymHawks opened the competition on the beam with a solid 49.125, led by three strong 9.850 performances from senior Ilka Juk, junior Haley Tyson, and fifth-year Adeline Kenlin. Juk’s score set a new season-high for the senior. Muñoz followed closely with a 9.825, while Tran posted a 9.750. Cassie Lee contributed a 9.675 to round out the lineup.

FLOOR
Iowa carried its momentum into floor, posting a 49.050 in the event. Erb shined with a standout performance, earning a 9.900 to tie for first place. This was Erb’s fourth times scoring a 9.900 or higher this season. Junior Hanna Castillo contributed a strong 9.825, while Tran followed with a 9.800. Junior Gianna Masella posted a 9.775, and Muñoz added a 9.750.

VAULT
The GymHawks posted a 48.775 on vault, with Muñoz leading the way at 9.800. Junior Avery Chambers and Tran both posted 9.775s, while sophomore Eva Volpe delivered a 9.725. Castillo and Masella each contributed scores of 9.700.

BARS
Iowa closed the meet with a season-best 49.175 on bars. Turner led the lineup with an impressive 9.900 to tie for third on the event. Tran closed out her night in the all-around with a 9.875. Muñoz added a strong 9.850, and Masella stuck a 9.800. Juk posted a 9.750, and Kaia Vanney scored a 9.600 to complete the lineup.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH JEN LLEWELLYN
“I’m really proud of our team, it was a gritty performance. We competed against tough competition from all teams. It was a complete team effort of hitting 24 of 24 routines, so I’m really proud of how they stuck together. Right now, we just need to continue to get back into the gym and find ways that we can get better and compete at the highest level. It’s also important to focus on having fun doing what we love, because when we bring that joy, the results take care of themselves.”

UP NEXT
The GymHawks will host Iowa State in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series on Friday, March 7, at 6:30 p.m. (CST) inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.