IOWA CITY, Iowa – The No. 10 University of Iowa men’s gymnastics team pulled an upset Saturday night in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, defeating No. 2 Penn State (396.550) and No. 14 Arizona State (376.150) with a season-high 404.050.
MEET HIGHLIGHTS
Iowa had the lead after the first rotation, but took control of the meet after the third rotation to secure the victory. Three Hawkeyes earned five event titles and the team registered a season high on rings (69.250) and parallel bars (68.250) to highlight the meet. Six gymnasts also earned 10 season bests.
Floor: The Hawkeyes started the night on floor. Redshirt senior Mark Springett led the way, tying his season-best 13.900 to finish runner-up on the event. Sophomore Andrew Herrador finished in the top-five in his floor debut for the Hawkeyes, registering a 13.250 to finish fifth.
Pommel Horse: Iowa had four gymnasts finish in the top-five on pommel horse. Senior Austin Hodges won the event title with a 14.050. Freshman Bennet Huang finished runner-up with a 13.600 followed by Nick Merryman in third with a 13.350. Junior Kevin Johnson tied for fourth with a 13.200.
Rings: The Hawkeyes made an impressive showing on rings, recording a season-high 69.250 to take the lead for second and final time. Junior Jake Brodarzon finished runner-up with a career-high 14.150. Springett finished fourth with a season-best 14.050 followed by senior Dylan Ellsworth who tied for fifth with a season-best 13.750. Freshman Addison Chung (13.600) and Huang (13.600) both earned career-high scores on the event.
Vault: Ellsworth won his first event title of the night with a 14.800. Huang finished seventh with a 13.750 followed by freshman Kulani Taylor in eigth with a 13.650. Chung registered rounded out the top-10 with a 13.600. Herrador made his season-debut on vault, notching a 13.550.
Parallel Bars: Ellsworth won his second event title of the night with a season-best 14.200. Hodges notched a 14.050, followed by Brodarzon who registered a career-high 13.900 to finish fourth. Huang earned his second career-high of the night with a 13.150 to tie for ninth.
High Bar: Herrador won Iowa’s fourth event title of the night with a 13.600 on high bar. Junior Rogelio Vazquez notched a third-place finish with a 13.250, while Hodges finished fifth with a 13.050.
All-Around: Ellsworth won his final event title of the night with a season-best 80.350 in the all-around. Huang finished second with a 78.900.
HEAR FROM COACH REIVE
“We finally went out and did most of what we’re capable of doing. We had two falls on floor but came back with a killer pommel horse rotation. We finally put five pommel horse routines up and the momentum took off at that point. It was great to see them stay with it. There a couple of mistakes here and there but all the way through they had great energy and good focus. They were there together today and that’s what we’ve been missing.”
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes host No. 6 Minnesota and No. 11 Air Force at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on March 11 for Senior Day. The meet is scheduled to take place at 1 p.m. (CT).