No. 20 Iowa State hosts No. 32 Nebraska Friday, Jan. 7 at 6:30 p.m. to open the 2022 season. The Cyclones were tabbed as the No. 20 team in the nation in the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association's (WCGA) Preseason Coaches Poll, marking the third consecutive season the Cyclones have received a preseason top-20 nod.
The Matchup: No. 20 Iowa State (0-0, 0-0 Big 12) vs. Nebraska (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Where: Ames, Iowa - Hilton Coliseum (14,267)
When:Â Friday, Jan. 7 - 6:30 p.m.
Watch: Big 12 Now on ESPN+
Live Stats:Â Cyclonestats.com
Tickets: Tickets are still available for Friday's meet. Click here to purchase.Â
Key Storylines
- ISU finished the 2021 season at No. 21 nationally, the fourth-straight season the Cyclones have finished in the Top 25, the second-longest such streak in program history.
- The Cyclones recorded the two highest team scores of the Jay Ronayne era last season, notching a 197.050 at the Big 12 Championships and a 196.825 vs. No. 1 Oklahoma.
- This marks Ronayne's 16th season at the helm of the Cyclone gymnastics program.
- Iowa State returns all but two from last year's squad, a team that posted 33 scores of 9.9 or higher, the most by a Cyclone team since 2006. ISU's 12 scores of 9.900 or higher on vault was the third-most in a season in program history. Addy De Jesus and Makayla Maxwell registered five each on the year.
- Seven newcomers, all freshmen, have joined the team this season – Josie Bergstrom, Maddie Crosse, Marina Gonzalez, Hannah Loyim, Emma Ricks, Sydney Saturnino and Rachel Wilke.
- There are two Olympians on the roster this season in Ariana Orrego (Peru) and Marina Gonzalez (Spain). Orrego competed at both the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics while Gonzalez competed in Tokyo, finishing 32nd on floor and 12th in the team standings.Â
- The Cyclones are looking for their first win over Nebraska since 2008.