Iowa State Sets Gymnastics Schedule

AMES, Iowa?The Iowa State gymnastics team has set the bar high for the 2010 campaign with a demanding schedule that will see the Cyclones head to some of the most difficult venues to compete in as well as the always tough Big 12 Conference slate.

ISU will play host to four meets in 2010 with Wisconsin-Stout (Jan. 8), Brigham Young and Michigan (Jan. 29), Minnesota (Feb. 26) and Iowa (March 5) all coming to Ames.

ISU head coach Jay Ronayne feels the Cyclones will be pushed hard by the teams they will see in 2010.

“I like our schedule this year,” Ronayne said. “Last year, it seemed like we scheduled every top 20 school in the country. This year we scheduled more top 20 programs to challenge us and provide our fans with high-level gymnastics.”

Perhaps the most daunting away task the Cyclones face will be a trip to Salt Lake City, Utah, to face Utah. The Utes took third in the 2009 NCAA Championships. Utah was also the 2009 NCAA attendance leader, averaging 13,860 fans per home contest.

“Utah is a tremendous place for a gymnastics meet,” Ronayne said. “The fans are very educated and understand and love the sport. We are also excited about the meet because it is the hometown of senior Megan Barnes, so it will be nice for her to compete in front of her family and friends.”

The Cyclones open action Jan. 8, when Wisconsin-Stout comes to Ames for a 7 p.m. competition.

For a printable schedule click on the links slide-out tab located above.