On Sunday, at the Iowa women’s gymnastics team finished second with a score of 194.425 at its home-opener against Michigan State and Ball State. The No. 22 Spartans took the title with a score of 195.625.

The women were very strong on the bar, yet they started off pretty slowly on the vault. Head coach Larissa Libby was impressed with how strong the team did on the floor routine, although the Hawks came up short on the beam. Even though their performance was strong, it was not strong enough to land them first. 

The GymHawks began their meet with posting a 48.450 on vault while Michigan State posted a 48.700 on bars, and Ball State hit 47.700 on the beam. Hawkeyes Alie Glover and sophomore Angel Metcalf scored 9.725 on the vault.

Hawk Mollie Drenth posted a career best with a 9.875 on bars.  Following in second was Metcalf, who tied her personal best of 9.850.

The Hawkeyes went on to beam with a team score booster from freshman Nikki Youd with a 9.800. The judges gave Iowa a score of 145.050, with Michigan State at 146.325, and Ball State with 144.575.

The team ended the day with a floor post of 49.375,with the assistance of senior Sydney Hoerr with a career best of 9.925 and Glover with her best score of 9.900.

Iowa will compete at Ohio State on Jan. 24.

— by Alexandria Griffin