No. 22 ISU scores 195.950 at Big 12 Championships

NORMAN, Oklahoma – The No. 22 Iowa State gymnastics team earned a 195.950 and brought home a third place finish at the Big 12 Gymnastics Championships in Norman, Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon. No. 1 Oklahoma finished first with a 197.575, No. 5 Denver placed second and earned a 197.250 and West Virginia ended its afternoon with a 195.600.

Even though the Cyclones took third place, multiple Cyclones had great days. Natalia Ros Vaquer earned her second 9.900 of the season on bars. Senior gymnast Meaghan Sievers scored a 9.900 on both bars and vault and many other Cyclones scored a 9.800 or above.

Iowa State's 195.950 was their highest score recorded at the Big 12 Championships since the 2014 season, which left head coach Jay Ronayne happy with Regionals coming up in two weeks.

"All season we have been chasing 24 hit routines," Ronayne explained. "We have been very close every single meet. We feel that we left about a half point out there so I'm pretty pleased with us being able to hold it together. I am also encouraged we have higher scores out there and we will be able to use that going into the NCAA Regional."

Uneven Bars

The Cyclones scored a 49.200 on bars which is its third highest score this season. Natalia Ros Vaquer tallied a 9.900 for the second time this season. Meaghan Sievers matched Ros Vauqer's score with a 9.900 as well. Their 9.900s helped both Sievers and Ros Vaquer place fifth at the Big 12 Championships. Laura Burns notched a 9.825, while Madeline Johnson scored a 9.800. Maddy Langkamp opened with ISU scoring a 9.775 and Ana Palacios recorded a 9.700.

Sophomore Natalia Ros Vaquer

"I felt great and was proud of the routine I did. I work very hard in every practice and try to do the best routine I can. That's what I did today."

Vault

Iowa State posted a 49.000 during the second rotation of the meet. The Cyclones have now scored a 49.000 or higher five times this season. The last time an ISU squad scored more than five 49.000s was during the 2006 season. Meaghan Sievers earned the highest score of a 9.900 and placed fourth in today's competition. Both Kelly Martin and Sophia Steinmeyer tallied 9.800s and Ariana Orrego recorded a 9.775. The two Cyclones to round out the group were Kelsey Boychuk and Sydney Converse who both scored a 9.725.

Head Coach Jay Ronayne

"Today was a little bit different and I didn't know what to expect. Ari stepped in and a great job and I am happy with toady and we are peaking at the right time."

Balance Beam

Iowa State scored a 48.875 on beam to end the afternoon. Meaghan Sievers recorded the highest score of a 9.825 and has gone 9.800 or above in her last four meets. Sydney Converse has been on a tear lately and earned a 9.800 on the apparatus. Sophia Steinmeyer and Meixi Semple both opened with a 9.775 and Grace Woolfolk ended the meet with a 9.700.

Senior Meaghan Sievers

"It's been really fun seeing all of the work we've put in during the meets. We are really such a good beam team during practice. Now that it's finally starting to come out and show glimmers of it. We haven't really hit on all cylinders yet and I know we can do it."

Floor Exercise

Iowa State notched a 48.875 as a team to open the Big 12 Championships. Molly Russ, Laura Burns, and Sophia Steinmeyer all scored a 9.800. With her 9.800, Russ has now scored a 9.800 or higher in the last five meets. Casandra Diaz had a very nice routine notching a 9.775 in the second spot of the lineup. Maddy Langkamp started Iowa State with a 9.700 and Meaghan Sievers scored a 9.625.

All-Around

Meaghan Sievers placed sixth in the all-around with a score of 39.250. Sievers had the highest scores on vault, bars and beam for Iowa State.

Up Next

After this meet, Iowa State will find out on Monday where they are going for the NCAA Regionals. The four possible destinations that Iowa State could be placed at are Ann Arbor, Michigan, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Athens, Georgia, and Corvallis, Oregon.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Kelsey Boychuk

Laura Burns

Sydney Converse

Casandra Diaz

Madeline Johnson

Kelly Martin

Ariana Orrego

Ana Palacios

Natalia Ros Vaquer

Molly Russ

Meixi Semple

Meaghan Sievers

Sophia Steinmeyer

Grace Woolfolk

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