Young Named Big 12 Gymnast of the Week

AMES, Iowa - Iowa State gymnast Haylee Young was named Big 12 Gymnast of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday. Young becomes the first Cyclone to receive the award since Michelle Browning and Celine Paulus earned the award in 2012.

Young shined in both home meets this weekend, Friday against No. 18 Minnesota and Air Force, the sophomore tied her career-high on floor for the fifth time with a 9.900. She also stuck her vault to earn herself a season-high 9.825 and lead the team on the event. Young also brought in the second highest score of the night on balance beam with a 9.825.

Even after an outstanding meet on Friday, Young came out even stronger at Sunday's quad meet against No. 14 Nebraska, NC State, and UW-La Crosse. Young led the team on all four events, and recorded three more career-highs in the process. Her first personal best came from her uneven bars routine, where she tied her career-high with a 9.850. The team then moved to balance beam, where Young earned the highest score of the night with a 9.900, tying her highest score on the event since last January. The most impressive record of the night for Young, however, was her incredible 39.450 in the all-around, her personal best, and the highest all-around score from an Iowa State gymnast since Celine Paulus in 2012.

Young continues to be an important competitor for the Cyclone gymnastics team after a break-out freshman season where she made the 2015 All-Big 12 Championship Team and one the all-around competition at the 2015 Big 12 Championships.

The Cyclones will hit the road again this weekend to compete at the University of Illinois. Iowa State will compete in Champaign, Illinois on Friday at 7:00 p.m.