Dethloff Qualifies for NCAA National Championships

The Iowa State Cyclone gymnasts finished just two-tenths shy of qualifying for NCAA Nationals as a team at the NCAA Northeast Regional Championships in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Saturday.

Erin Dethloff claimed fifth in the all-around competition to qualify for the NCAA National Championships (39.4). She is the second freshman in school history to qualify as an all-arounder (Sissy Huey was the first in 1999). Dethloff's performance marks the fifth consecutive year that Iowa State will be represented at the NCAA National Championships by either a team or an individual. Finishing just behind Dethloff was Powell, 39.35.

ISU earned its second-best floor score of the season, 49.575. Dethloff matched her career high score (9.95) to share floor exercise champion honors. She is the fifth regional champion in school history and the first ever to win the floor exercise at the prestigious event. Senior co-captain Karen Kuplicki finished in a four-way tie for fourth (9.925). A trio of freshmen, Krystal Carney, Laura-Kay Powell and Kacey Oiness, all recorded 9.90. Oiness and Carney matched their career high scores. Junior Gabby Layne finished with 9.875.

ISU wrapped up its 2003 season with a third-place finish (196.525) at the NCAA Northeast Regional Championships and a No. 13 national ranking, which marks the highest end-of-the-year ranking for the Cyclones since 2000, and the second highest year-end ranking in school history.

Iowa State head coach K.J. Kindler said, "We improved our ranking this season on last year's finish (15th in 2002). This team has accomplished the ultimate goal, to peak and compete our best in the most important meet of the year."

Tenth-ranked Michigan was named the 2003 Northeast Regional champions (196.825). Finishing second was No. 3 Arizona State (196.725). Penn State grabbed fourth (196.175), New Hampshire took fifth (195.40) and Pittsburgh claimed sixth (194.50).

"It's heartbreaking to be two-tenths out on nationals, but this program has a lot of youth and we can only get better," Kindler said. "It was definitely our best effort this team has put together all year, especially on beam and floor."

The Cyclones went 24 for 24 for the first time this season, completing each routine in all four events without a major error. This is the closest the team has come to qualifying for nationals in its last three appearances in the NCAA Regional Championships. Iowa State marked the highest team scores on beam (49.35) and floor (49.575).

"We notched the best team floor and beam scores, above Michigan and ASU," Kindler said. "We unfortunately fell a bit short on vault, which kept us from earning a qualifying position."

On the beam, junior Chee Chee Calina finished in a three-way tie for second place (9.90). Sophomore Susan Stock and teammate Abigail Richey placed in a four-way tie for fifth (9.875).

The top two teams, the top two all-around gymnasts who are not on a qualifying team and any event winner who scores at least a 9.800 and is not a part of a qualifying team at the NCAA Northeast Regional Championships advance to the 2003 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships, hosted by Nebraska on April 24-26.

In only her third season as head coach of the Cyclones, K.J. Kindler was named 2003 North Central Regional Coach of the Year.

"I'm so proud of these athletes and the way they carried themselves tonight," Kindler said. "It was a team effort and though we are disappointed, we have a mission for next year. This team will be in the stands at Nationals, though we feel we deserve to be there. I know that attending the meet in Lincoln will feed our desire and help remind us of what the future will bring."

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Players Mentioned

Krystal Carney

Krystal Carney

Erin Dethloff

Erin Dethloff

Karen Kuplicki

Karen Kuplicki

Kacey Oiness

Kacey Oiness

Laura-Kay Powell

Laura-Kay Powell

Abigail Richey

Abigail Richey

Abigail Richey

Susan Stock

Susan Stock

Susan Stock

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