AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State gymnastics team rallied past No. 23 Iowa 194.900-194.550 Friday night to clinch the 2011-12 Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series. After trailing following three rotations, the Cyclones delivered a 48.900 floor score while the Hawkeyes faltered down the stretch, tallying 48.125 on beam in front of 1,993 fans at Hilton Coliseum.
Iowa State (1-2 overall, 0-1 Big 12 Conference) was led by senior co-captain Michelle Browning’s career-high-tying 39.350 in the all-around. The Houston, Texas, native went on to capture the meet’s all-around crown. Browning tied for the bars crown with a career-best 9.875 and was part of a three-way draw on floor with a 9.825.
Iowa’s (2-4-1 overall) Maya Wickus won the vault crown with a 9.850. Jessa Hansen of Iowa tied Browning’s 9.875 on bars for title on the apparatus. The Hawkeye’s Jessica Morreale won the beam, scoring 9.850. Browning, Iowa State’s Celine Paulus and Iowa’s Emma Stevenson all shared top honors on floor.
The Cyclones got off to a hot start on vault with a season-best 48.750. In addition to Browning’s stellar 9.825 effort, sophomore Megan McDonald delivered a career-high 9.775.
Following its bars effort, Iowa State found itself trailing at the half-way point after having to count a fall. In addition to Browning’s career high, fellow senior Paulus tied her career best with a 9.850. McDonald delivered her second career-best tally of the night with a 9.750.
The momentum started to shift in Iowa State’s favor following the third rotation, as the Cyclones did not have to count a fall on beam. Iowa State produced an impressive 48.975 while Iowa struggled a bit on floor with a 48.775. Cyclone freshman Caitlin Brown produced a career-high 9.825 while Browning matched her with a 9.825 in the anchor position.
The stage was set for an Iowa State comeback on the final rotation when the Cyclones moved to floor and the Hawkeyes went to beam.
After the Hawkeyes were forced to count a fall on beam, Browning sealed the victory with a meet-closing 9.825 on floor.
With the win, Iowa State improved its standing in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series to 15-6 with only six remaining points up for grabs.
The Cyclones travel to Denver, Colo., for their next meet. Iowa State will face Denver at 7 p.m. CST on Feb. 4.
