Cyclones Shine Before Record-Breaking Crowd

AMES, Iowa?The No.20 Iowa State gymnastics team found its winning ways Friday night in front of the largest gymnastics crowd in program history in the Beauty and the Beast competition. The ISU gymnasts ran past the Gophers 194.600-191.475 before 7,224 fans in Hilton Coliseum, more than double the previous all-time Cyclone high. In the multi-sport extravaganza, the Iowa State wrestling squad also took on the Minnesota grapplers, winning 29-6.

“The energy that the team felt from the crowd tonight was overwhelming,” said ISU head gymnastics coach Jay Ronayne. “You could feel electricity in the building tonight.”

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The Cyclones (1-7) started on vault, while the Gophers (5-4) competed on bars. Iowa State registered a solid 48.775 on the apparatus, led by senior Ceilia Maccani's 9.800 and junior Nikki Dilbert's 9.775. Minnesota inched past the Cyclone effort with its own 48.900 to take the early .125 lead, buoyed by Alexis Russell's 9.850.

The Cyclone bar routine was a treat for the raucous Iowa State crowd in the second rotation. Maccani put together a career-high 9.925, taking the event title in the process. The Racine, Wis. native's score ranks in a tie for fourth in ISU bars history, with a 9.950 being the top in program history. Maccani's effort was only a part of a strong Cyclone bar showing as ISU put up a 48.975, a mere 0.025 off its season-high tally. Minnesota registered a 48.300 on vault. At the midway point, the Cyclones led 97.750-97.200.

Maccani's bars effort, along with her solid vault and beam (9.775) showings earned her the “Marie-Rae Sopper Outstanding Performance Award” that goes to the Iowa State gymnast whose performance inspires and captivates the Cyclone coaches, teammates and fans.

“It is like (Maccani) has become a new kid the past few weeks,” Ronayne said. “Her gymnastics have been getting better and better. It is really great to see a veteran leader like her continue to improve weekly.”

The third rotation pitted Iowa State on beam while the Gophers competed on floor. Iowa State had strong performances from three seniors; Maccani (9.775), Ashley Kent (9.775) and Jasmine Thompson (9.750). However, the effort was hurt when the Cyclones had to count a pair of falls, resulting in a 47.625. The Gophers did not fair better on floor as they registered a 47.350. The Cyclones increased their lead with one rotation remaining to a 145.375-144.550 advantage.

The Cyclones washed away any worries in the final rotation by scoring a season-best 49.225 on floor. The score also marked the highest tally Iowa State has registered on any event this season. The high-scoring Cyclone floor routine was led by a career-high-tying 9.900 from Thompson, who took home the event crown. The closing rotation also saw a career-high 9.800 from Oakland, Iowa, native Shea Anderson. Iowa State also had stellar efforts from freshman Michelle Browning (9.875), junior Katie Sweetin (9.850), and junior Anna Robey (9.850). Minnesota struggled on beam with a 46.925.

“The crowd had a huge part to do with how we finished tonight,” Ronayne said. “We took it upon ourselves to make it happen and that is something we have struggled to do this year. It was a lot of fun to see us deliver when we needed it.”

Minnesota's Carmelina Carabajal took the all-around title with a 39.275, while Thompson scored the Cyclone high with a 39.175.

Iowa State returns to action next Friday when No. 11 Oklahoma travels to Ames for a 7 p.m. meet in Hilton Coliseum.

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Players Mentioned

Shea Anderson

Shea Anderson

Michelle Browning

Michelle Browning

Nikki Dilbert

Nikki Dilbert

Ashley Kent

Ashley Kent

Ashley Kent

Ceilia Maccani

Ceilia Maccani

Anna Robey

Anna Robey

Anna Robey

Katie Sweetin

Katie Sweetin

Katie Sweetin

Jasmine Thompson

Jasmine Thompson

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