The Iowa women’s gymnastics team defeated Maryland on Jan. 30, 195.726-195. The score was a season best for the Hawkeyes.

“The step that they took mentally today was huge for us,” head coach Larissa Libby said.  “Coming from behind, learning how to win, and learning to block everything out so that you can pass your opponent is very tough. We just tried to keep them focused on the things that we wanted to accomplish. It was all about a look we wanted to present, a ferocity, regardless of what happened, and I think they did a really great job with that.”

Iowa started the meet on vault posting a 48.775. Junior Alie Glover and sophomore Angel Metcalf posted scores of 9.800. The Terrapins started the night on bars, posting a score 48.800.

The GymHawks then moved to bars, on which sophomore Mollie Drenth led with a 9.875. Iowa trailed Maryland during the second rotation, tallying a 48.950 and adding to its team score of 97.725.

The Hawkeyes managed to take the lead after posting a 49.025 to surpass their previous season best on beam at No. 22 Ohio State (48.125).

Glover won the title on beam and tallied a season best with a 9.875, topping her previous best of 9.825 against Ohio State. Metcalf took second place on beam with a score of 9.825.

Iowa’s score stood at 146.750 entering the final rotation, while Maryland stood at 146.475.

The GymHawks finished the day posting a 48.975 on floor. Sydney Hoerr led the Hawkeyes with a 9.900 to win the floor title.

The Terps posted a 48.800 on the beam, and Iowa held on to win the meet, posting its best score of the season, topping its previous best of a 195.225 on Jan. 24 against Ohio State.

“Our mindset coming into today was all about mentality, demeanor, confidence, keeping the energy up, and really building off one another,” Hoerr said. “We haven’t reached out full potential, and I am excited about the point when we do, but we are on the right track.”