Iowa State University Athletics
Iowa State
Minnesota
No. 5 Cyclone Gymnasts Score Best Team Total and Defeat 22nd-Ranked Minnesota
03.03.2006 | Gymnastics
AMES, Iowa - No. 5 Iowa State recorded a 196.650, bettering its previous best by three-tenths of a point, upending 22nd-ranked Minnesota in front of 1,534 fans on Senior Night at Hilton Coliseum Friday. Junior Janet Anson stole the show, scoring an ISU season-best 39.525 on the all-around and dominating both vault and floor exercise. The Cyclones (11-2 overall, 3-0 Big 12 duals) have now won eight duals in a row in 2005 and 16-consecutive home meets dating back to 2003.
"This was an overall outstanding team performance," head coach K.J. Kindler said. "We had some problems here and there from some of our best, but our team really picked up the slack."
Iowa State began the night on vault where Anson stuck a Yurchenko layout one-and-a-half twist, scoring a season-high 9.975 to take first. The Kansas City, Mo., native's vault tied the second-highest score in school history as she also garnered a 9.975 vs. Illinois in 2004. Anson, ranked 10th in the nation on vault, and Shelly Kringen (1999-2002), are the only ISU gymnasts to ever record a perfect 10 on the vault.
"One of the judges threw up a 10 right away and I got excited," Kindler said. "She is so close to getting a 10 and I have a good feeling it might happen before the season is over."
The Cyclones recorded their second-highest team vault score of the season with a 49.250, besting Minnesota's 48.825. Junior Katie Lasher took second with a 9.850, while seniors Laura-Kay Powell and Erin Dethloff scored a fourth-place 9.825.
The No. 8 ISU bars squad then bested Minnesota 48.925-48.625 and swept the top three individual places. Redshirt sophomore Jade Kvach picked up a share of her first event title of the season, scoring a season-high 9.850 to tie with Anson for first. Lasher put together her second impressive performance of the evening, sticking her landing to score a 9.825 to tie for third with the Gophers' Laura Johnson. Powell competed on bars for the first time this season and posted a 9.700.
Iowa State led 98.175-97.450 after two rotations where the 10th-ranked Cyclone beam team connected on six-of-six routines and defeat Minnesota 49.250-48.950. Junior Ashley Alden and freshman Ashley Kent put together dual 9.900s to win the event and help ISU to its top beam score of the season. Kent's score set a career high while Alden tied hers. Dethloff garnered a third-place 9.850 as the Cyclones swept the event.
"Our beam performance was the best of the season by far," Kindler said. "The two Ashley's (Kent and Alden) put together the best routines of their careers tonight."
The Cyclone floor squad once again showed why they are the third ranked team in the country, breaking the 49.000-point barrier for the seventh-consecutive meet. Iowa State scored a 49.225 as Anson took top honors, tying a season-best with a 9.925. Anson entered the meet as the No. 4 floor performer in the country. Dethloff took second with a 9.875 while senior Kacey Oiness collected a third-place 9.850.
Powell competed in the all-around for the first time this season and took third with a 39.150. Minnesota's Laura Johnson took second, scoring a 39.275.
The 2006 ISU squad has now tied the 2004 Cyclones for the second-highest start in program history. The 1976 finished the season with a perfect 12-0 record.
Iowa State will travel to 10th-ranked Nebraska on Sunday at 2 p.m. and will try to become the first team to defeat the Huskers in Lincoln since 1993. NU tied Michigan earlier this season on its home floor and the Cyclones tied Nebraska 198.000-198.000 in Lincoln in 2004.
ISU defeated Nebraska 196.025-195.600 back on Feb. 19 in Hilton Coliseum.
Players Mentioned
