No. 14 Iowa State Gymnasts Fall to Iowa

AMES, Iowa?The No. 14 Iowa State gymnastics team could not overcome some uncharacteristic mistakes Friday evening in Hilton Coliseum as the Cyclones lost to Iowa 195.175-194.150 in front of a season-high 2,745 fans. The loss dropped ISU to 6-6 on the season. The Hawkeyes' score was their best tally of the season.

“We seemed a little more unfocused than we should be, and I was really disappointed,” ISU head coach Jay Ronayne said. “We had a fall on beam that surprisingly shook everybody up, and we kept making mistakes after that.”

The Cyclones were consistent on vault to start the meet, but lacked any big scores en route to a 48.575. Ceilia Maccani led ISU with a 9.750 and freshman Rebecca Ellis notched a career-high-tying 9.725. The Hawkeyes had a fall on bars but did not have to count it as they scored a strong 48.950 on the event. After the first rotation, Iowa led 48.950-48.575.

ISU looked better on bars, scoring a 48.900 on the apparatus in the second rotation. Maccani led the Cyclone bars squad with a 9.850, winning a share of the bars title. Ashley Kent and Jody McKellar both chipped in with scores of 9.800. Iowa scored a 48.800 on vault to stay ahead 97.750-97.475 at the midway point.

Maccani'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.

Iowa State again closed the gap on Iowa on the third rotation, scoring a 48.825 on beam. Michelle Browning paced the Cyclones with a 9.850 to claim the beam title. Kent was close behind with a 9.825. Celine Paulus was also a strong ISU contributor with a 9.775. Iowa registered a 48.725 on floor. With one event remaining, the Hawkeyes held a slim 146.475-146.300 lead.

ISU could not carry any of its momentum to floor as the Cyclones had to count a fall on the event, contributing to a season-low 47.850. The Hawkeyes did what they had to do on beam, by not having to count a fall to insure the win. Browning won the floor title with a 9.850. Paulus added a 9.775 effort.

In the all-around, Iowa's Rebecca Simbhudas won with a 39.225, while Browning took second with a 39.150.

Iowa State concludes Big 12 regular-season action when the Cyclones travel to 11th-ranked Nebraska March 14. The meet is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Michelle Browning

Michelle Browning

Michelle Browning

Rebecca Ellis

Rebecca Ellis

Ashley Kent

Ashley Kent

Ceilia Maccani

Ceilia Maccani

Jody McKellar

Jody McKellar

Jody McKellar

Celine Paulus

Celine Paulus

Celine Paulus

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