Iowa women’s gymnastics to travel to Michigan State
After a close loss to Minnesota last weekend, the No. 16 Hawkeyes will take on the No. 15 Spartans in East Lansing on Saturday.
Iowa senior Mackenzie Vance performs on bars during a gymnastics meet between Iowa and Texas Women’s University at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. Vance scored 9.825 points in the bar portion. The Hawkeyes defeated Texas Women’s Pioneers, 196.125-189.300.
January 20, 2022
Iowa women’s gymnastics will head to Michigan State Saturday to take on the Spartans.
Iowa is coming off a second-place finish in a tri-meet against Minnesota and UCLA last Monday. The Hawkeyes were originally slated to travel to Georgia for a dual meet, but the contest was canceled because of COVID-19 protocols in the Bulldogs’ program.
Minnesota invited Iowa to join its meet with UCLA once news of the Hawkeyes’ cancellation broke.
With the runner-up finish, the program made a splash by unveiling new leotards in Minneapolis.
The uniforms feature a bedazzled cursive Iowa on the back — partially designed by senior GymHawk Mackenzie Vance, per the Iowa Gymnastics Twitter account.
Iowa displayed success on the mat in their new uniforms. On beam, sixth-year senior Clair Kaji and sophomore Adeline Kenlin scored a 9.925 and 9.900, respectively. Iowa won the beam event with a score of 49.275.
RELATED: Clair Kaji returns to Iowa women’s gymnastics for sixth year
Junior JerQuavia Henderson led the way in vault as she earned a 9.875. Kenlin and junior Linda Zivat finished close behind with a pair of 9.850 scores.
Kaji and Kenlin starred on the uneven bars, with scores of 9.850 and 9.825, respectively.
The Hawkeyes were narrowly outscored by the Gophers, 196.900-195.950. UCLA finished in third place with 194.850 points.
Saturday’s meet against the Spartans will serve as a homecoming for Zivat, who transferred to Iowa after two years with Michigan State women’s gymnastics.
The Spartans are 4-0 after taking down Illinois State and Bowling Green in a tri-meet on Jan. 15.
Michigan State currently sits at No. 15 in the Road to Nationals Women’s Gymnastics Poll, one spot ahead of Iowa.
