University of Minnesota Athletics
WGM: No. 19 Minnesota Defeats Iowa 195.775-195.475
2/26/2005 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Minnesota's first event of the evening was the vault, where the Gophers outscored the Hawkeyes 48.925-48.825. Carolyn Yernberg and Laura Johnson were the top scorers in the event for Minnesota, each scoring a 9.850 to tie for second place. Iowa's Natalie Padilla was the event winner, earning a 9.875.
On the uneven bars, Minnesota won with a team score of 48.950, its best bars score of the season. Iowa tallied a 48.650. The Gophers swept the top three spots in the event, led by event champion Laura Johnson, who earned a season-best 9.850. Johnson's score is the highest bars mark by a Minnesota gymnast this season. Rehana Russell finished second on the bars with a career-best 9.825, while Stephanie Funk was third with a season-best 9.800. Andrea Cornelius finished in fifth after earning a 9.750, her career-best score on the bars.
Iowa won the balance beam competition with a mark of 48.950, their best score of the season on beam. Minnesota earned a 48.625. Iowa swept the top three spots in the event with Kortny Williamson winning the event with a 9.850. Danielle Legeai was second with a 9.825 and Katie Burke and Liz Grajeweski tied for third with scores of 9.800. Minnesota's top finisher was Ashley Mutchler, who was fifth with a 9.775.
Minnesota earned its best score of the evening on the floor with a 49.275, the highest floor score for the Gophers this season. Iowa finished with a 49.000 on floor. The Gophers swept the top three spots in the event, with Carolyn Yernberg winning on floor with a 9.900. Laura Johnson and Maria Opsahl tied for second with scores of 9.875.
In the all around, Laura Johnson won with a season- best 39.250. Iowa's Liz Grajewski was second with a 39.075 and Natalie Padilla was third with a 38.975.
Minnesota's next competition is a triangular meet at Nebraska with the Air Force Academy on March 6. The Gophers are next at home against Arizona State on March 12 at 7 p.m.
