Iowa Stops Cyclones, 194.675-194.00

IOWA CITY, Iowa ? The Iowa State gymnastics team had three solid rotations and two event champions, but it wasn't enough to take down in-state rival Iowa, as the Hawkeyes scored a 194.675 to the Cyclones' 194.000 Monday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. It was the second matchup in the Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series for the two teams in the last five days.

Jennifer Salfen used a season-high 9.800 to claim the vault crown, and Jasmine Thompson scored a 9.850 to take home the top spot on beam. A couple missteps on floor ultimately cost the Cyclones.

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Final Stats

“Our first four on floor have been working with injuries and have had very little practice time and their scores reflect that,” Iowa State head coach Jay Ronayne said. “I was really encouraged by the way Jasmine (Thompson) and Michelle (Browning) didn't let that affect them and performed their routines.”

The Cyclones were without all-arounder Megan Barnes who missed the meet with an injury.

“Missing Megan in there really hurts. Half of each rotation is going great, but the other half lacks consistency,” Ronayne said. “The scores will come as the girls can get more time in the gym and gain that consistency we are looking for.”

Iowa State posted a 48.725 on bars to start the meet, jumping out to an early .175 lead, the team's biggest advantage of the season. Ashley Kent set a season high with a 9.775, a score that was matched by Ceilia Maccani. Jody McKellar added a 9.750 and Jacquelyn Holmes put up a 9.725 for the Cyclones. Iowa scored 48.550 on vault, led by Jenifer Simbhudas' 9.800.

Vault proved to be another solid rotation for the Cyclones, as they notched a 48.700 on the apparatus. Salfen's 9.800 claimed a share of the event title with Iowa's Simbhudas. Nikki Dilbert added a 9.775 and Maccani scored a 9.750 for ISU. Iowa scored a 48.800 on bars to pull within 97.425-97.350.

Thompson paced the Cyclones with a 9.850 on floor in the third rotation. Browning added a 9.775 as Iowa State scored 47.950 in the rotation. Iowa put up a 48.375 on beam to take a 145.725-145.375 lead into the final rotation.

Thompson's 9.850 led a solid 48.625 Cyclone effort on beam. McKellar tied her career high with a 9.825, while Kent set a season high with a 9.800. Maccani also tallied a 9.800 for ISU. That proved to fall just short, as Iowa scored a 48.950 on floor to secure the meet title.

The Cyclones will be back in action Friday at 7 p.m. for the Beauty and the Beast meet, a joint competition with the Iowa State wrestling team. Both the gymnasts and wrestlers will face Minnesota.

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Players Mentioned

Megan Barnes

Megan Barnes

Megan Barnes

Nikki Dilbert

Nikki Dilbert

Nikki Dilbert

Jacquelyn Holmes

Jacquelyn Holmes

Jacquelyn Holmes

Ashley Kent

Ashley Kent

Ashley Kent

Ceilia Maccani

Ceilia Maccani

Ceilia Maccani

Jody McKellar

Jody McKellar

Jody McKellar

Jennifer Salfen

Jennifer Salfen

Jasmine Thompson

Jasmine Thompson

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