Head coach JD Reive, Matt McGrath, Matt Loochtan, and Andrew Botto spent this past weekend in Las Vegas for the annual Winter Cup meet.

Only McGrath was able to qualify for the finals on Feb. 21, in which he posted a score of 41.700. He participated in three events scoring 13.500 on the floor, 13.300 on the rings, and 14.900 on the vault.

In addition to his previous scores, McGrath earned an 83.050 — good enough for 31st place among 42 gymnasts.

After a quick turnaround, they met the rest of the team in the Windy City to take on Illinois-Chicago on Sunday afternoon.

The Hawkeyes downed the Flames by a score of 431.400-409.900. Jack Boyle turned in another all-around performance, the only one on the team with an 86.800.

Only one event scored below a 70 — the pommel horse, which gives every team its share of problems.

Rings were the strongest event this time after the Hawks struggled on the event during the last meet. The team scored a 75.150. In the Hawks’ strongest event — the vault — they scored a 70.050.

— by Jack Rossi