Cyclones Score 194.150, Defeat Illinois State

AMES, IOWA – The Iowa State Cyclones opened up their home slate with a win defeating the Illinois State Redbirds 194.150-191.275.

Iowa State's 194.150 was led by a group of underclassmen. Freshmen Maddy Langkamp and Grace Woolfolk and sophomore Sophia Steinmeyer all had solid meets. Langkamp again hit another 9.800 on bars while Woolfolk added a 9.800 on beam. Steinmeyer picked up where she left off in Cancun scoring a 9.800 on floor and 9.825 on vault.

Head Coach Jay Ronayne was pleased with the way these gymnasts preformed tonight. "Maddy [Langkamp] had really clean and pretty gymnastics and she looked like a veteran, Ronayne explained."

"Grace [Woolfolk] hasn't really competed in three years, got put out in Cancun and doesn't have the greatest experience," Ronayne continued. I am hopeful tonight will set the tone for her because she is amazing. The quicker she can get on board and realize it, the quicker she will be able to show this crowd what a great routine looks like."

Even though the Cyclones didn't put up their highest score of the season, the team's gritty performance leaves Ronayne hopeful for the upcoming meet on Monday at No. 10 Georgia.

"We made some quick changes here and there tonight. We put Laura [Burns] in on floor and MJ [Madeline Johnson] on bars, and these things happened on the fly. MJ didn't even warm up on bars and knocked out a great routine," Ronayne added. "I think we have some versatility and we are able to deal with some adversity. That bodes well for the future."

Balance Beam
Iowa State recorded a 48.725 on the balance beam this evening. Grace Woolfolk tallied the highest Iowa State beam score of the night with a 9.800. Molly Russ notched a 9.775, while Cassie Diaz added a 9.725. Sydney Converse competed in Hilton Coliseum for the first time since her sophomore season and recorded a score of 9.750. Meaghan Sievers and Ariana Orrego rounded out the ISU line up scoring a 9.675 and 9.575.

Freshman Grace Woolfolk
"Everyone always talks about Hilton Magic and I was just so excited to experience what that felt like. It was great to be up there and having my team supporting me, and I am just really happy with how I did."

Vault
Iowa State started the meet scoring a 48.675 on vault. The highest scores of the vault rotation went to Meaghan Sievers and Steinmeyer, who both scored a 9.825. Madeline Johnson, a last-second addition to the lineup, tallied a 9.700 as did senior Kelly Martin. Freshman Phoebe Turner put up a 9.625 and Ariana Orrego scored a 9.500 in her first run of the season.

Head Coach Jay Ronayne
"Starting off with Kelly, I asked her to pop off a great vault and she sticks it. That kind of set the tone for that event. Then Sophia came back with that one-and-one-half and stuck that which was great."

Uneven Bars
Iowa State tallied a 48.450 on the uneven bars Friday night. Freshman Maddy Langkamp tallied a 9.800 for the second time this season, which turned out to be the highest score of the evening. MJ Johnson, who didn't even warm up, posted a score of 9.700. Laura Burns scored a 9.675 and Casandra Diaz brought home a 9.650. Natalie Horowitz was a bright spot in the lineup scoring a 9.625 in her very first routine as a Cyclone.

Freshman Natalie Horowitz
"I was just so thankful to get the opportunity. Last meet, I was injured, and they didn't really trust me in the lineup but I'm glad they have trust in me now. I also feel like I did a good job because this was my first meet."

Floor Exercise
Iowa State finished the night on floor scoring a 48.300. The Cyclone effort was led by Cyclone senior Meaghan Sievers. Sievers notched a 9.825, matching her week one score. Steinmeyer continues to put up solid scores recording a 9.800. Langkamp finished her night with a 9.725, Diaz scored a 9.600 and Burns rounded out the group with a 9.350.

All Around
Meaghan Sievers was again Iowa State's lone all-arounder scoring a 37.825.

Up Next
The Cyclones will have a quick turnaround as they head to Athens, Georgia for a meet on Monday to take on No. 10 Georgia at 1 p.m. Central.

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Players Mentioned

Laura Burns

Sydney Converse

Casandra Diaz

Natalie Horowitz

Madeline Johnson

Kelly Martin

Ariana Orrego

Molly Russ

Meaghan Sievers

Sophia Steinmeyer

Phoebe Turner

Grace Woolfolk

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