While the snow fell outside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, the Iowa gymnastics team, dressed in their “snow white” home uniforms, dominated the quad home opener. Iowa ended the meet with 196.000 points well out of reach compared to Illinois’ 194.50, Iowa State’s 193.450, and Illinois State’s 191.900.
Similar to last week’s meet in Utah, second-year Aurélie Tran led the Gymhawks in beam, vault, all-around, and tied a fellow Hawkeye in bars. First-year Daisy Bowles tied Tran with a 9.900 score by the judges.
“It felt so good,” Bowles said. “I am so happy and glad I did what I know how to do.”
Making her own history was second-year Sydney Turner, who earned her new career best on floor with a score of 9.925. Her original best in that event was 9.8, which she earned at the NCAA regional competition just one year ago.
“It was the best feeling, floor is always the event I have struggled on a little bit but I have worked so hard with my coaches and teammates,” Turner said.
Saturday’s meet was also a homecoming for former Gymhawk and now Illinois State assistant coach Adeline Kenlin. Kenlin was a two-time All-American, competing with the Hawkeyes from 2021-25.
“It’s rare that your first meet as a coach is at your alma mater,” head coach Jen Llewellyn said of Kenlin. “With legacy in the program it is just so special to have her here again.”
After a disappointing trip to Utah, Llewellyn believed in her Gymhawks to turn it around and show truly what they could do.
“Relaxing, being confident, and letting loose was some of the key things I had us work on this week’s four practices,” Llewellyn said.
Last week the Gymhawks struggled with nerves in front of such a big crowd this early in the season. Team scores in Utah hovered around 48.9 with beam barley being above 48, but tonight the Gymhawks improved those scores to hover around 49.1 with beam now just above 48.5.
“We were much more precise with handstands on bars, precise dance on beam with less wobbles, and leaps and landings on our floor routines,” Llewellyn said.
Confidence was needed and with this dominating win the Gymhawks look to take the momentum into the rest of the season.
“Today was good to that score, we still left a lot out on the there,” Llewellyn said. “Being able to show what we have been doing all offseason and can do is a big relief.”
With two big meets already under their belt the Gymhawks look to not slow down and continue into another home meet next week against conference contender Michigan State on Jan. 17 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
“The squad has tomorrow off, which is a much needed rest for them and then we will flow into film, conditioning, and just trying to keep our bodies ready for the next meet,” Llewellyn said.