University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Set to Host Cyclones
1/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota women's gymnastics team, ranked sixth in the Big Ten Preseason Coaches' Poll, will kick off the 2016 regular-season at home this Saturday at the Sports Pavilion with the first rotation set to begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. against the Cyclones of Iowa State.
* SPECIAL NOTE: For the 2016 season, all posted times on the schedule are when the first rotation will begin. In the past, posted times signified line-ups. Please plan accordingly to be sure not to mis any of the Maroon and Gold action.
The meet will be streamed via BTN Plus (subscription required). One can also follow live updates via @GopherWGym on Twitter.
THE OPPONENT
The Cyclones ended last season qualifying for their 19th-consecutive NCAA Regional, finishing fifth. Graduated senior Caitlyn Brown was the lone member of the team to qualify for the NCAA individual finals last season.
Returning to Iowa State is reigning Big 12 All-Around Champion Haylee Young. In her collegiate debut, Young finished ranked 32nd in the nation in the all-around and tied for 49th on floor. The Des Moines, Iowa native tallied three 9.900s, earning the team individual season high mark on floor. The sophomore is joined by 12 returning gymnasts along with five newcomers.
The Cyclones welcome two freshmen to the team that hail from Minnesota - Madeline Johnson of North Saint Paul and Mary Korlin-Downs of Lake Elmo. Both newcomers trained at Flips Gymnastics and are former teammates of Gopher freshman, Selena Ung.
LAST TIME OUT
In the 2015 seasons, the Maroon and Gold went undefeated against the Cyclones, sweeping both times the teams met first at the Sports Pavilion following on the road in Ames, Iowa.
In head coach Jenny Hansen's coaching debut and the home opener of the 2015 season, the Gopher defeated the Cyclones 194.950-193.475 and swept all four events (1/10/15).
Senior Lindsay Mable earned event titles on beam (9.875), floor (9.900) and in the all-around (39.450). Fellow senior Madeline Hanley earned the crown on bar with a score of 9.875.
At Ames (2/20/15), Mable won the all-around title, her eighth consecutive of the season with a final tally of 39.625.
PRESEASON RANKINGS AND GYMNASTS TO WATCH
In the 2016 Big Ten women's gymnastics preseason coaches' poll, the Maroon and Gold were tabbed sixth. Along with the team ranking, Mable and sophomore Ciara Gardner were named to the Big Ten Women's Gymnasts to Watch list.
Mable, an all-around competitor, was named the 2015 Big Ten Gymnast of the Year after a storied junior campaign. The Aurora, Colo. native earned six weekly league honors, held the top spot nationally in the all-around for two weeks straight, a first for the Minnesota women's gymnastics program. Mable was also named the Big Ten Vault Champion, tied for the Big Ten Floor Champion title and finished second in the overall. The 2015 Academic All-American earned the Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award, a 2015 Honda Sports Award nomination and was named to the 2014-15 Capital One Academic All-District Team.
Gardner, an all-around competitor, appeared in all 14 meets for the Gophers as a freshman, the only one in her class to do so. The Frisco, Texas native tied for second on floor on balance beam with a score of 9.850 on floor exercise and tallied a 9.850 against Iowa State. At the same meet, Gardner also tallied a 39.275 in the all-around, finishing third. She notched her season-high score on floor at the Tri-Meet vs. New Hampshire and Iowa with a 9.900.
BIG TEN WOMEN'S GYMNASTICS PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
1. Michigan
2. Nebraska
3. Illinois
4. Penn State
5. Ohio State
6. Minnesota
7. Iowa
8. Michigan State
9. Maryland
10. Rutgers
BIG TEN WOMEN'S GYMNASTS TO WATCH LIST
Lizzy, Leduc, Fr., Illinois
Giana O' Connor, Sr. Illinois
Mollie Drenth, Jr., Iowa
Angel Metcalf, Jr., Iowa
Abbie Epperson, So., Maryland
Kathy Tang, Sr., Maryland
Nicole Artz, Jr., Michigan
Olivia Karas, Fr., Michigan
Lisa Burt, Sr., Michigan State
Elena Lagoski, Jr., Michigan State
Ciara Gardner, So., Minnesota
Lindsay Mable, Sr., Minnesota
Hollie Blanske, Sr., Nebraska
Ashley Lambert, Jr., Nebraska
Taylor Harrison, So., Ohio State
Kaitlyn Hofland, Fr., Ohio State
Kiera Brown, Jr., Penn State
Briannah Tsang, So., Penn State
April Baker, Jr., Rutgers
Elizabeth Gordon, So., Rutgers
PARKING ADVISORY
Due to the volume of events this weekend both on and near the U of M campus, parking will be very limited. See alternate transportation plans here.
LOOKING AHEAD
Next weekend, the Maroon and Gold continue their four-meet homestand as they welcome the Terrapins of Maryland in a Big Ten conference match-up. The first rotation is set to begin at 4:00 p.m. at the Sports Pavilion.
FOLLOW THE GOPHERS
Are you following the Gophers on the road or from home? Make sure to follow @GopherWGym on Twitter and use the team's hashtag #AlwaysGolden. You can also check for updates on Facebook and Instagram by "liking" Minnesota Women's Gymnastics on Facebook or following the Gophers on Instagram.
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Players Mentioned
