TEMPE, Ariz. -- The No. 20 University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team is set for its season opener with a quad-meet against No. 14 Auburn, Iowa State, and host Arizona State in Tempe, Arizona, this Saturday at 5 p.m. (CT).
PRESEASON RANKINGS & AWARDS
Iowa is ranked No. 20 in the 2018 NACGC/W Preseason Poll -- up two spots from last year’s preseason poll -- after receiving 819 points in coaches’ votes.
The Hawkeyes were picked at No. 3 in the Big Ten Women's Gymnastics Preseason Coaches' Poll. Senior Lanie Snyder and sophomore Clair Kaji were also named to the 2018 Big Ten Conference Women’s Gymnasts to Watch List.
THE ROSTER
The GymHawks return 14 letterwinners and welcome five new additions -- Erin Castle, Emma Hartzler, Maddie Kampshroeder, Annabelle Mosier, and Ashley Smith -- to the 2018 squad.
THE COMPETITION
Auburn: The Tigers are led by three-time SEC Coach of the Year Jeff Graba. Auburn is ranked No. 14 in the 2018 NACGC/W Preseason Poll. The team ended its 2017 season at the NCAA Fayetteville Regional, in third-place with a team score of 196.600 and No. 15 national ranking. Auburn returns 14 letterwinners, including NCAA Championship qualifier Katie Becker, and welcomes six freshmen.
Iowa State: The Cyclones are led by head coach Jay Ronaye, who is in his 12th season. Iowa State is ranked No. 29 in the 2018 NACGC/W Preseason Poll. They concluded the 2017 season ranked No. 29 nationally. Iowa State ended competition at the NCAA Lincoln Regionals with a team score of 195.250 and a fifth-place finish. The Cyclones return 13 letterwinners this season, including NCAA Championship qualifier Haylee Young, and welcome three new additions to the team.
Arizona State: The Sun Devils are led by head coach Jay Santos -- who is in his second season -- and are ranked No. 31 in the 2018 NACGC/W Preseason Poll. Arizona State ended last season ranked No. 41 nationally at the Pac-12 Championships, where they finished in fourth-place with a team score of 195.600. The Sun Devils return 13 letterwinners for 2018, including regional qualifier Nichelle Christopherson, and welcome three newcomers.
FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can follow along on Saturday through live stats on the Iowa women’s gymnastics schedule page or live stream the meet on Pac12 Plus. Live updates will also be available from @IowaGymnastics from @IowaGymnastics on Twitter.