The Iowa gymnastics team leaped, balanced, and swung into action at its annual Black and Gold meet in Carver Hawkeye Arena on Friday evening.
With 19 Gymhawks split into two teams, it was a perfect display of this year’s roster depth. In the end, though, it was Team Black who claimed the intrasquad victory with a final tally of 117.450 total team points. Team Gold was narrowly behind with a team score of 116.575.
Being the first meet outside of the practice facility, it was not just first-years but also returners who got the opportunity to shake off the nerves.
“I feel like I am nervous all the time, but we definitely adjust the longer you go,” first-year Maggie Ball said. “Over the course of the year, we will definitely gain more confidence and hopefully be less nervous.”
Head coach Jen Llewellyn had a lot of praise to give about her competitors following the meet, not just individually but as a team overall.
“I am very impressed that we could go out and display and execute our depth at a safe and high level,” Llewellyn said. “I am also proud of this team’s maturity and execution overall.”
Even though it was a night to celebrate the season beginning, it is still early in the season, and with only a few weeks left before the first official meet of the season. Llewellyn and the Gymhawks look to work and practice as much as they can before their trip to Utah.
“For us, it’s going to be fine-tuning the details and just taking the confidence of our performances from this meet to the practices these next two and a half weeks,” Llewellyn said.
Not only is this a new season for the freshman and some veterans returning from injury, but it is also Llewellyn’s second season with the program. Many of the freshmen and returning talent have praised her commitment to the team and passion for the Gymhawks.
“When I came into college gymnastics, I had no idea I would have such a great leader as a head coach,” second-year Sydney Turner said. “She really cares about who we are becoming as young women, and that is the best quality you can have as a head coach of a women’s gymnastics team.”
The Iowa women’s gymnastics team will open its season officially on Jan. 2 in Salt Lake City, Utah, where the Gymhawks will compete against Utah and Minnesota.