Iowa State Takes Third at Central Regional

The No. 7 Iowa State gymnasts were faced with tough competition at the NCAA Central Region Championship hosted by LSU, where they took third place (195.400) behind No. 6 Louisiana State (196.450) and No. 15 Florida (195.900). The Cyclones defeated No. 25 Central Michigan (193.675), New Hampshire (193.075) and Illinois State (189.975) to close the 2002 season with a 14-9 overall record.

The squad began rotation on the floor exercise, their strongest event of the evening (49.075). Senior Sissy Huey scored a 9.90 to place her in a vie-way tie for third place. Senior Dena Albacker competed on the event for only the second time this season to score a personal-bets mark of 9.825.

The team scored a 48.900 on vault. Sophomore Chee Chee Calina tallied a season high 9.70.

After a bye, Iowa State resumed competition on the uneven bars scoring 48.775. Senior Stephanie Sweitzer tied for second on bars with Beth Bourdeaux of LSU (9.825).

ISU finished the competition on balance beam with a team score of 48.650. Senior Shelly Kringen was named the 2002 Central Region balance beam champion with her score of 9.850.

Huey placed third in the all-around competition (39.250).

Huey and Kringen qualified to compete at the NCAA Championship as an all-arounder and individual balance beam specialist, respectively in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

In the awards ceremony following the meet, Iowa State's Lou Ball was named the NCAA Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year.

Players Mentioned

Dena Albacker

Dena Albacker

Shelly Kringen

Shelly Kringen

Stephanie Sweitzer

Stephanie Sweitzer

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics