Cyclones Fall to No. 16 Nebraska

AMES, Iowa?A vastly improved effort by the No. 24-ranked Iowa State gymnastics team could not overcome No. 16 Nebraska Friday, as the Cornhuskers got past the Cyclones 195.550-194.775 in Hilton Coliseum.

“We improved a lot but we have a ways to go,” said Iowa State head coach Jay Ronayne. “We gave away a lot of tenths on a lot of landings on all the events. But, I'm pleased with the way we are progressing.”

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Iowa State (0-2; 0-2 Big 12) opened on vault while Nebraska (1-1; 1-0 Big 12) was on bars. The Cyclones tallied a 48.350 with junior Megan Barnes scoring a team-high 9.775. ISU improved its point total by nearly one half of a point from its season-opening score (47.800) on vault. The Cornhuskers took the early lead off a 48.850 buoyed by a pair of 9.825s.

For the second rotation, the Cyclones transitioned to bars and the Cornhuskers competed on vault. Iowa State closed the gap on the Cornhuskers with a quality showing as the Cyclones tallied a 48.925 and the Nebraska put together a 48.825 on vault. Iowa State was led by a pair of 9.850s from senior Jasmine Thompson and junior Jody McKellar as the duo tied for the event crown. McKellar notched a career best as did sophomore Jacquelyn Holmes, who tallied a 9.750. The Cyclones' score bettered their season-opening score (47.825) on bars by more than one point.

“We hit routines on bars and that's what it comes down to,” Ronayne said. “It is awesome to see that in public because that's what we've been doing in practice every day.”

On beam, Iowa State scored a 48.750 behind a season-best 9.825 from Thompson. The Cornhuskers put distance between themselves and ISU behind a 49.025 on the floor. After three rotations, the score stood at 146.700-146.025.

To close out the meet, the Cyclones scored a 48.750 on floor. Junior Katie Sweetin led ISU with a season-high 9.825 and Thompson was close behind with a 9.800.

McKellar's effort earned her the “Marie-Rae Sopper Outstanding Performance Award” that goes to the Iowa State gymnast whose performance inspires and captivates the Cyclone coaches, teammates and fans.

Barnes paced the Cyclones in the all-around with a 38.825 as Nebraska's Kylie Stone took the title with a 39.350.

The Cyclones take a break from Big 12 action as they head to Auburn, Ala., Jan. 23, for their first road test of the season when they take on Auburn at 7 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Megan Barnes

Megan Barnes

Jacquelyn Holmes

Jacquelyn Holmes

Jacquelyn Holmes

Jody McKellar

Jody McKellar

Jody McKellar

Katie Sweetin

Katie Sweetin

Katie Sweetin

Jasmine Thompson

Jasmine Thompson

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