Cyclones Finish Second At GymQuarters Invitational

ST. CHARLES, Missouri – The No. 18 Iowa State gymnastics team (6-6, 1-1 Big 12) earn their second 196.625 of the season, falling to No. 9 LSU's 197.800, but defeating No. 19 Missouri (196.450) and Lindenwood (193.550) at the GymQuarters Invitational. The Cyclones tallied three individual 9.925s in the meet.

Newcomers led the day for Iowa State, as Jade Vella-Wright posted a 9.925 on bars and a pair of floor competitors, Andrea Maldonado and Maddie Diab, each posted 9.925s. The effort led to a season-high 49.350 on floor.

"It was a great field of competition," head coach Jay Ronayne said. "There were top-20 teams battling it out and I was amazed at my team's poise. They knew they belonged and their resiliency is amazing. When there's a curveball thrown at them, they don't duck."

Floor Exercise
A pair of 9.925s from newcomers Maddie Diab and Andrea Maldonado highlighted the evening on floor as the Cyclones scored a 49.350, their season high. The duo becomes the first pair of Cyclone floor members to score 9.925s or better in the same meet since Janet Anson and Katie Sweetin in 2007. The high marks were accompanied by a 9.850 from Sydney Converse and 9.825s from Madelyn Langkamp and Casandra Diaz all contributing to the floor score.

Freshman Maddie Diab
"I have never competed on a platform before, but I warmed up and didn't think it would be any different. I did what I always do in the gym; I didn't treat it any differently. I feel like my coaches and teammates push each other to be the best that we can be."

Balance Beam
Iowa State had its second-best beam score of the season at a 49.150. Ana Palacios set a new career-best with a 9.875, followed by a solid 9.850 from Sydney Converse. Phoebe Turner upped her career-high score with a 9.825 and 9.800s from Sophia Steinmeyer and Meixi Semple rounded out the Cyclone scorers.

Sophomore Ana Palacios
"I was really trying to stay out of my mind. It knows how to do it and being there for my teammates pushes me to be the best version of myself. I tried to stay calm [on beam] and go one skill at a time. I was confident because I have been putting in the work."

Uneven Bars
The Cyclones opened the meet on bars, scoring a 49.100. Jade Vella-Wright led the way for the Cyclones with a 9.925, becoming the second freshman in school history to score a 9.925 or higher on bars, the other being Erin Dethloff. The freshman has scored 9.900 or higher in four-straight meets. Madelyn Langkamp kicked off the bars squad with a 9.825, followed by 9.800s from Casandra Diaz and Ana Palacios. Natalia Ros Vaquer anchored with a 9.750.

Head Coach Jay Ronayne
"There were some ifs on bars. We were not sure how we were going to handle the event. We wanted to make sure we left last year behind us, and we did. It was freeing after that, because we could attack."

Vault
The vault team displayed quality power, scoring a 49.025 on the apparatus. Andrea Maldonado led the Cyclones with a 9.850, followed by 9.825s from Sophia Steinmeyer and Sydney Converse. Competing her first Yurchenko 1.5, Kelsey Boychuk earned a season-best 9.775. Phoebe Turner also counted her 9.750 in the score.

Head Coach Jay Ronayne
"Today was an experimental day on vault. Kelsey Boychuk did a vault that she just learned, so we wanted to get her out there and get that experience. I was one second away from moving Andrea off vault, but she promised me she was going to get the job done, and when a champion says that to you, you say okay. Makayla had a gigantic vault, but she couldn't quite put on the brakes. I'm walking out of this vault rotation more encouraged than I ever have been this season."

Up Next
The Cyclones will wrap up their six-meet road trip next Friday at Southern Utah. The meet is set for 8 p.m. Central Time at the America First Event Center.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Kelsey Boychuk

Sydney Converse

Maddie Diab

Casandra Diaz

Madelyn Langkamp

Andrea Maldonado

Ana Palacios

Natalia Ros Vaquer

Meixi Semple

Sophia Steinmeyer

Phoebe Turner

Jade Vella-Wright

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