After a strong performance and an upset against Michigan State last weekend, the 24th-ranked Iowa gymnastics team hoped to carry that momentum into its two-weekend road trip up north. However, for the Gymhawks, the first weekend in Ann Arbor did not go as planned, falling to 10th-ranked Michigan,  196.775 to 195.600, on Saturday afternoon. Iowa failed to score more than 49 in half of the events.  

“I am really proud of the team and how they jelled together to handle certain moments today,” Iowa head coach Jen Llewellyn told HawkeyeSports. “While it’s a bummer to know we left quite a bit out there, I thought we did a great job of fighting all the way through the remaining events after facing some early adversity.” 

Throughout the meet, many of Iowa’s top gymnasts made uncommon mistakes. One example was star fifth-year JerQuavia Henderson, who had one of her lowest-scoring days, earning Iowa’s lowest official scores in three of the four events. 

Henderson has been a strong competitor for the Gymhawks so far this season, ranking as one of the top-three gymnasts on the team in all four events.

However, in Ann Arbor, Henderson struggled, messing up her dismount on bars, taking a sizable step on her vault landing, and falling off during her beam routine, all of which caused point deductions.

Despite Henderson’s off day, many Gymhawks made sure to step up for the team. Second-year Aurélie Tran remained consistent, earning the meet’s overall best on bars with a 9.925 and tying within the team for best in vault and all-around. 

Along with Tran, first-year Sophie Schriever excelled on the all-around and on the floor. She scored a career-high on floor with a 9.875. With this, she also scored a new career-best in the all-around with 39.275.

Standing out on the beam for the Gymhawks were a few consistent leaders on the squad, second-year Sydney Turner, who put up a 9.875, and third-year Eva Volpe and first-year Maggie Ball tied with a score of 9.775. 

Despite the multitude of efforts from the Gymhawks, they were no match for the Wolverines, who have posted team scores above 196 in all of their meets this season, including on Saturday. 

Up Next:

Iowa’s road up north continues next weekend as it travels to Minnesota on Jan. 31. The Golden Gophers currently stand 14th in the national rankings and beat the Hawkeyes earlier this season in Utah. Start time is set for 4 p.m. Central on Big Ten Plus.