Iowa State Competes at 2003 Big 12 Championships

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Freshman Erin Dethloff received Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honors, but the No. 13 Cyclones finished in fourth place at the Big 12 Championship at the Hearnes Center in Missouri Saturday evening (195.7). No. 2 Nebraska took first place (197.5), No. 6 Oklahoma claimed second (197.025) and No. 25 Missouri grabbed third (196.7).

The Cyclones began on the bars and were in second place after the event (49.25). Dethloff placed in a tie for fourth place along with Nebraska's Richelle Simpson (9.925). In a three-way tie for uneven bar co-champion was Sooner Erin LaBarr and Huskers Tami Harris and Julie Houk (9.950).

Next, ISU competed on the beam and were in fourth place after three falls on the event (97.375). Junior Chee Chee Calina placed in a three-way tie for third along with Huskers Libby Landgraf and Jen French (9.90). Jamie Saas of Nebraska took second place (9.925). Simpson was balance beam champion with 9.975.

After their performance on the floor, Iowa State remained in fourth (146.65). Dethloff and fellow freshman Kacey Oiness lead the team with 9.90s to share sixth-place honors with Landgraf, Houk, French, Oklahoma's Christina Gerard and Patricia Aoki (9.90). Oiness matched her career high in the event. In a tie for fourth were Sooner Meredith Fricke and Missouri's Lauren Schwartzman (9.925). Tiger Alisha Robinson shared second-place honors with Husker A.J. Lamb. The floor champion was Simpson with a perfect 10.

The final event for the Cyclones was the vault. The team was lead by Abigail Richey (9.90) who placed in a four-way tie for vault co-champion along with Lamb, Missouri's Lindsey Davis and Simpson. Aoki and Gerard shared fifth-place honors (9.875).

Simpson claimed the all-around with a 39.8. In second was Tiger Alicia Robinson (39.550). Landgraf took third with 39.425.

Simpson received Big 12 Gymnast of the Year honors. The 2003 Coach of the Year was Den Kendig from Nebraska.

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Players Mentioned

Erin Dethloff

Erin Dethloff

Kacey Oiness

Kacey Oiness

Abigail Richey

Abigail Richey

Abigail Richey

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