The Iowa men’s gymnastics team’s “one-two punch” of Jonathan Buese and Benjamin Ketelsen traveled to Las Vegas for the Winter Cup Competition on Thursday.

Despite solid performances from both, Buese and Ketelsen failed to qualify for the Saturday’s finals, which would have secured them spots on the U.S. National Team.  

Buese finished 11th in the all-around during his session. Ketelsen finished the all-around in 24th during the same session.

Both gymnasts fell below their season averages on all of their events, but Iowa head coach Tom Dunn said the low scores were the result of high expectations from the judges.

“Judging is always very strict; they are always trying to separate,” Dunn said. “The scores are always lower (at the Winter Cup), and they are never up to the NCAA averages.”

The Winter Cup is traditionally one of the premier gymnastics events in the country, with more than 100 athletes from ages 14 and up competing over two days.

Buese, Ketelsen, and the rest of the Iowa gymnastics team won’t compete again until the Hawkeyes travel to Oakland, Calif., for the Pacific Coast Classic on Feb. 20.

— by Nick Gans