Iowa State University Athletics
Iowa State University
Nebraska
No. 5 Cyclone Gymnasts Snap Nebraska's Home Winning Streak at 60
03.05.2006 | Gymnastics
LINCOLN, Neb. - The fifth-ranked Iowa State gymnastics squad became the first team to defeat Nebraska in the Bob Devaney Sports Center since 1993, winning 196.250-196.125. The tenth-ranked Huskers had won 60-consecutive home meets entering Sunday's competition, but an impressive beam performance in the final rotation clinched the win for ISU. The Cyclones won in Lincoln for the first time since Jan 14, 1978.
"Since I've coached here for 14 years we have never won in this arena, so this is a huge accomplishment," head coach K.J. Kindler said. "Its a big confidence boost for us and will help us setup for the Big 12 Championships in this arena."
ISU trailed just 147.175-147.100 after three rotations and needed a solid beam score to make up the slim margin. It did just that, turning in a 49.150, besting NU's 49.100. Erin Dethloff and Laura-Kay Powell tied for second, scoring 9.875 each, while Ashley Alden tied for fourth with the Huskers Tricia Woo. Powell, Iowa State's last competitor, entered the event ranked No. 12 on the beam and stuck her beam landing, sealing the win for ISU.
"There was lot of pressure on beam and it all came to one routine and Laura-Kay is a senior and stepped up to the pressure," Kindler said. "We were not perfect today and we know we have some things to prove on. Nebraska's is among the nation's elite and we had an opportunity when we came to their arena and we made the most of it."
Iowa State improved to 12-2 overall and ran its consecutive dual winning streak to nine, winning two team events in the last two rotations, beam and floor. The Cyclones are now off to the second-best start in school history and will finish the 2006 season with a perfect Big 12 dual record (4-0) for the first time ever.
The Cyclones began the competition on bars, where it turned in a 48.800 to NU's 48.975. Junior Katie Lasher put together ISU's best routine for the second-straight meet, posting a second-place 9.850. Dethloff, a four-time All-American, took fifth, scoring a 9.800. Husker Desire' Sniatynski's 9.875 was the top score in the event.
The 11th-ranked Iowa State vault squad took then took its turn in the second rotation where it had scored a 49.000 or higher in five-straight outings. ISU continued its trend, tying the Huskers on vault as both teams recorded a 49.100. Three-time All-American Janet Anson, who nearly scored a perfect 10 on Friday vs. Minnesota, took second with a 9.875. Lasher, Dethloff and Kvach all tied for third with NU's Kylie Stone. Nebraska's Emily Parsons won the event with a 9.900.
Iowa State trailed 98.075-97.900 entering the third rotation where the third-ranked floor squad again showed why it is one of the nation's best. The Cyclones recorded a 49.175 as all six ISU routines scored a 9.800 or higher for the first time this season. Anson and Powell notched second-place 9.875's. Dethloff and Oiness turned in a 9.825 while Kvach and junior Ashley Alden put together a 9.800 each. Nebraska's Emily Parsons won her third event title, posting a 9.900.
The Cyclones finished second, third and fourth, respectively, in the all-around. Dethloff took second with a 39.325, Anson took third with a 39.250 and Powell, competing in the all-around for just the second time this season, took fourth with a 39.200. Parsons took top honors with a 9.900.
In the last seven meets, Iowa State's trio of All-Americans, Anson, Powell and Dethloff, have scored a 9.800 or higher in 72-of-their-last-85 routines.
Iowa State tied Nebraska 198.000-all back on March 14, 2004, while Michigan tied the Huskers 195.675 earlier this season, the only non-wins for NU since losing at the Master's Classic on March 1, 1993. Including its win in Ames on Feb. 19, ISU is now 5-2-1 in its last eight meets with Nebraska.
The Cyclones will travel to No. 16 Arizona State on Friday, March 10 in Tempe, Ariz. Iowa State is 0-4 lifetime vs. the Sun Devils, the last meeting coming at NCAA Regionals in 2004.
Players Mentioned
