No. 23 ISU Wins Season-Opener in Dominant Fashion

AMES, Iowa?The No. 23 Iowa State gymnastics team opened up its 2010 campaign with a convincing 193.300-173.675 win over Wisconsin-Stout in Hilton Coliseum Friday evening.

The Cyclones' score was their highest season-opening tally since the 2007 campaign.

“One of the goals today was to hit all 24 routines and we came close by hitting 22,” ISU head coach Jay Ronayne said. “I'm disappointed in the team score, but it gives us somewhere to build on, and we will get better and better throughout the year.”

The Cyclones started the 2010 campaign on vault and scored a 48.300. Jody McKellar led the ISU vault team with a 9.725. Michelle Browning and Celine Paulus were close behind with 9.675s. Wisconsin-Stout scored a 40.275 on bars in its first rotation.

ISU strengthened its lead in the second rotation, as the Cyclones made the score 96.900-85.650 with a 48.600 tally on bars. Ceilia Maccani tallied the highest score on the event with a 9.775. McKellar and Alex Grant were close behind with a pair of 9.750s.

The third event saw the Cyclones notch a 48.200 on beam. Senior Ashley Kent registered a team-high 9.825. Browning put together a solid performance, scoring a 9.725. The score after three rotations was 145.100-128.025.

Kent's effort 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.

“Ashley had a great beam routine,” Ronayne said. “It was as good as it has been every day in the gym. It's the type of effort she expects from herself and I expect from her all year.”

Iowa State concluded the season-opening contest on floor and scored a 48.200. Browning led the Cyclone floor team with a 9.750, while Paulus and Shea Anderson registered 9.700s. Wisconsin-Stout tallied a 45.650 on beam.

Ronayne was impressed with Paulus' performance in the first meet of the year.

“The three events Celine counted for us were really solid and is what she expected of herself because she has told me she has it figured out this year. I believe she has,” Ronayne said.

In the all-around, Browning scored a 38.800 to take home the title. McKellar notched a 38.625 total in the all four events combined..

The Cyclones travel to Salt Lake City, Utah, to face No. 2 Utah Jan. 15 at 6 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Shea Anderson

Shea Anderson

Shea Anderson

Michelle Browning

Michelle Browning

Michelle Browning

Ashley Kent

Ashley Kent

Ceilia Maccani

Ceilia Maccani

Jody McKellar

Jody McKellar

Jody McKellar

Celine Paulus

Celine Paulus

Celine Paulus

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