Cyclones Win Cancun Classic Title

CANCUN, Mexico- No. 13 Iowa State began the season with a first-place finish at the season opener in Cancun, Mexico, on Friday. A host of talented newcomers hit all routines in their first collegiate competition at the Cancun Classic as Iowa State won the competition with a final score of 195.60. Iowa State finished 1.65 points above No. 20 Auburn, which scored 194.150. BYU took third with a 194.25 and No. 18 Missouri finished fourth, scoring 192.625, respectively.

The Cyclones began the night on vault, an event where four newcomers competed and scored 49.050. Freshman Megan Barnes stole the show landing a 9.90 first-place vault in the opening rotation, which no one could top the rest of the night. Auburn opened the meet on beam and took an early lead with a team score of 49.125. Junior Julie Dwyer turned in a 9.90 performance for the Tigers.

Iowa State claimed the lead in the second rotation after solid routines on the bars from Janet Anson (9.85) and newcomer Ceilia Maccani (9.775). Maccani, who finished .075 back from the event winner Anson, shared third place in the final standings with BYU's McKell Poulson.

Heading into the third rotation, ISU led Auburn by .35. The Tigers' 48.90 vault score was not enough to top the Cyclones as they added to their lead over Auburn, 146.90-146.25. Ashley Alden and Jade Kvach, a duo of Cyclone seniors, turned in strong routines on beam during this rotation scoring 9.875 each. Alden and Kvach's scores where good enough for a second place tie behind AU's Dwyer (9.90). BYU's Dayna Smart (9.85) rounded out the top four.

Standout newcomers Katie Sweetin and Barnes also performed well on beam notching 9.825 each to contribute to the growing Cyclone team lead.

"Going into the last rotation, I knew we were a head [of Auburn], but I didn't know the exact score," said Iowa State head coach Jay Ronayne, who was an assistant at Auburn the last four years. "They [AU] headed to bars, which I knew should be a good event for them."

Auburn had the opportunity to challenge Iowa State's .65 lead in the fourth rotation, but Auburn was forced to count a fall on bars, opening the door for the Cyclones on the floor exercise. At the same time, tension for Iowa State mounted after an early mistake on floor, but the following gymnasts, Anna Robey (9.775) and Sweetin (9.825) hit each of their routines, followed by Anson (9.90), who nailed the final show to garner first place and solidified the Iowa State victory.

"I was so excited for the team," said Ronayne. "They all wanted a win to start off the year. Now they got three."

Auburn's Dwyer claimed her 13th career all-around title, scoring a total of 39.225, including a first-place showing on beam (9.90). ISU's Anson took second place in the all-around with a combined total of 39.10 with first place finishes on bars and floor.

The contest was the first for the Cyclones under head coach Jay Ronayne. It also marks the first time ISU has competed at the Cancun Classic.

Next weekend, Iowa State will compete at Minnesota on Jan. 13, at 6 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Ashley Alden

Ashley Alden

Janet Anson

Janet Anson

Megan Barnes

Jade Kvach

Jade Kvach

Ceilia Maccani

Ceilia Maccani

Anna Robey

Katie Sweetin

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