Iowa State Gymnastics Team Faces Defeat Against Utah

Iowa State’s gymnastics team faced a tough loss against No. 12 Utah on Sunday during their home opener for the season. The Red Rocks emerged victorious with a score of 195.725 to 192.300. This match was broadcast to a national audience on ESPN, marking the first time a meet originated from Hilton Coliseum on the network.

The defeat brought the Cyclones’ record to 0-1, 0-1 at home, and 2-6 overall. Iowa State will return to competition on February 1 when they travel to the University of Denver. They are set to host West Virginia on February 6. Utah improved to 6-3 overall and extended their winning streak to four consecutive meets. The Red Rocks will face No. 25 Arizona State on January 30.

Head coach Ashley Miles Greig expressed her excitement about the season opening at Hilton Coliseum. She praised the crowd and the support from Cyclone Nation, highlighting standout performances by Haylee Hardin and Finley Weldon. Greig also noted the significance of having a freshman anchor perform well, indicating a positive outlook for the future.

Key Performances in the Match

In the first rotation, Utah scored 48.750 on bars, while Iowa State managed 48.400 on vault. Iowa State was led by Noelle Adams (9.750) and Aubree Guinee (9.725), while Utah had three scores of at least 9.8, including Avery Neff (9.875), Ella Zirbes (9.85), and Abbi Ayssman (9.85).

After the second rotation, Utah led 98.100 to 96.450. They scored 49.350 on vault, while Iowa State posted 48.050 on bars. Utah had four scores of at least 9.8, led by Ella Zirbes and Avery Neff each scoring 9.875. Iowa State was led by Paige Willis and Finley Weldon, both with scores of 9.750.

In the third rotation, Utah scored 48.125 on floor, while Iowa State scored 47.675 on beam. The team score after three rotations was Utah 146.225 to Iowa State’s 144.125. Ella Zirbes and Makenna Smith scored 9.85 and 9.75 for the Red Rocks. Iowa State was led by Finley Weldon with a score of 9.750 and Lauren O’Brochta with a score of 9.650.

Final Rotation and Highlights

In the final rotation, Utah scored 49.500 on beam, while Iowa State had 48.175 on floor. Utah’s competitors Abbi Ryssman and Ana Padurariu achieved career-high scores, with Ryssman scoring 9.925 and Padurariu matching a career high with 9.95, which was the highest score for the event. Iowa State was led by Haylee Hardin and Noelle Adams, both achieving season-high scores on the floor rotation.

The last time the Cyclones competed, Aubree Guinee, Ella Roberts, and Frederique Sgarbossa all set new career highs. Utah has faced a challenging schedule, including matches against No. 15 Minnesota and No. 22 Iowa, as well as a game against then-top-ranked UCLA on January 10. Utah had three meets within the first eleven days of the 2026 season.

Historical Context and Upcoming Matches

The last time these two teams met was in 2024 as part of the Gainesville Regional. Since the first matchup in 1980, Iowa State has been 0-10 against Utah. The match on Sunday marked the first time the Cyclones have hosted Utah in Ames.

Event-by-Event Results

Iowa State:
– Vault – 48.400
– Paige Wills (9.650)
– Ella Roberts (9.600)
– Aubree Guinee (9.725)
– Frederique Sgarbossa (9.625)
– Noelle Adams (9.750)
– Haylee Hardin (9.650)

• Bars – 48.050 (96.450)
• Paige Wills (9.775)
• Taylor Sanders (9.650)
• Ella Schell (9.125)
• Kennedy Thomas (8.375)
• Kaia Bochow (9.725)

• Frederique Sgarbossa (9.775)

• Beam – 47.675 (144.125)

• Lauren O’Brochta (9.650)
• Chloe Hammond (9.050)
• Aubree Guinee (9.625)
• Frederique Sgarbossa (9.050)
• Noelle Adams (9.600)

• Finley Weldon (9.750)

• Floor – 48.175 (192.300)

• Chloe Hammond (9.500)
• Madelyn Manternach (9.400)
• Aubree Guinee (9.476)
• Noelle Adams (9.875)
• Haylee Hardin (9.925)

Utah:
– Bars – 48.750
– Makenna Smith (9.325)
– Abbi Ayssman (9.85)
– Ana Padurariu (9.85)
– Ella Zirbes (9.85)
– Bailey Stroud (9.000)
– Avery Neff (9.875)

• Vault – 49.350 (98.100)
• Clara Raposo (9.775)
• Ella Zirbes (9.875)
• Ashley Glynn (9.85)
• Makenna Smith (9.925)
• Zoe Johnson (9.825)

• Avery Neff (9.875)

• Floor – 48.125 (146.225)

• Camie Winger (8.925)
• Zoe Johnson (9.70)
• Ella Zirbes (9.85)
• Avery Neff (9.075)
• Poppy-Grace Stickler (9.625)

• Makenna Smith (9.875)

• Beam – 49.500 (195.725)

• Elizabeth Ganter (9.85)
• Makenna Smith (9.875)
• Abby Ryssman (9.925)
• Ana Padurariu (9.95)
• Camie Winger (9.90)
• Avery Neff (9.825)

Big 12 Standings

Through Sunday, Jan. 25:
– Denver: 1-0, 4-0
– Arizona State: 1-0, 3-1
– Utah: 1-0, 6-3
– BYU: 0-1, 3-3
– Arizona: 0-0, 2-2
– Iowa State: 0-1, 2-6
– West Virginia: 0-1, 1-5

Upcoming Schedule

• Friday, Jan. 30
• At West Virginia – University of Pittsburgh at West Virginia
• At West Virginia – Cornell University at West Virginia
• At BYU – Arizona at BYU

• At Utah – Arizona State at Utah

• Sunday, Feb. 1

• At Denver – Iowa State at the University of Denver