The Hawkeyes seemed to be on track for a strong year in 2024 but never quite had a breakthrough meet. After a collapse at the Big Ten championship and what appeared to be tension on the sidelines, team members began sharing stories of mistreatment by head coach Larissa Libby. She was let go following the season, and Iowa brought in former Lindenwood and then-Washington leader Jen Llewellyn to right the ship. Under new leadership, JerQuavia Henderson back on the roster after a year away from the team, and Adeline Kenlin back from injury, as well as an influx of internationally acclaimed talent, 2025 is looking bright in Iowa City.
2024 Rewind
No. 37 overall | No. 10 at B1Gs | No. 37 in regular season
It wasn’t a bad year for the Hawkeyes by any means, but it did fall short of predictions. After being in the mix in the top half of the conference and building for several years, 2024 was a fall-off. Missing regionals was a big disappointment. Vault and bars were particular struggles.
Losses & Gains
| Returning | In |
| Fifth-Years JerQuavia Henderson Adeline Kenlin Seniors Alexa Ebeling Ilka Juk Marissa Rojas Juniors Alex Bradford (RS) Hanna Castillo Avery Chambers Emily Erb Gianna Masella Karina Muñoz Haley Tyson (RS) Kaia Vanney Sophomores Alyse Karenbauer Eva Volpe Freshmen Olivia Dylnicki (RS) Katelyn Widerspahn (RS) | Freshmen Cassie Lee Aurélie Tran Sydney Turner Reese Wilson |
| Out | |
| Graduated Ella Castellanos (UB, BB) Kendall LaPlante (VT) Aubrey Nick (BB) Allison Zuhlke Retired Bailey Libby (FX) | |
| Injury Update | |
| Adeline Kenlin missed most of the season but had surgery last February and should be back healthy. Alex Bradford was also injured, though she has not contributed. | |
Apparatus Deep Dive
Vault
2024 Event Ranking: No. 45 | NQS: 48.970 | Average: 48.915
| Event Overview: Vault took a hit in 2024, but with Henderson back and the Canadian trio coming in, there is plenty of talent to help this lineup reemerge as a headliner. | ||
| Locks: JerQuavia Hendrson, Karina Muñoz, Aurélie Tran, Eva Volpe | ||
| Contenders: Hanna Castillo, Avery Chambers, Alyse Karenbauer, Adeline Kenlin, Gianna Masella, Sydney Turner | ||
| Wildcards: Cassie Lee, Marissa Rojas |
Bars
2024 Event Ranking: No. 42 | NQS: 49.030 | Average: 48.871
| Event Overview: Bars was Iowa’s weakest event in 2024 and suffered from inconsistency. This lineup in particular is getting an infusion of talent from freshmen and should take a step forward. | ||
| Locks: Cassie Lee, Gianna Masella, Karina Muñoz, Sydney Turner, Aurélie Tran, Eva Volpe | ||
| Contenders: Ilka Juk | ||
| Wildcards: JerQuavia Henderson, Marissa Rojas, Kaia Vanney |
Beam
2024 Event Ranking: No. 26 | NQS: 49.225 | Average: 48.963
| Event Overview: The Hawkeyes were solid on beam, led by Muñoz, who had a stellar year here. With additional consistent talent, this lineup should be better than ever. | ||
| Locks: Ilka Juk, Adeline Kenlin, Cassie Lee, Karina Muñoz, Aurélie Tran, Sydney Turner | ||
| Contenders: JerQuavia Henderson, Marissa Rojas | ||
| Wildcards: Alexa Ebeling, Eva Volpe |
Floor
2024 Event Ranking: No. 36 | NQS: 49.305 | Average: 49.198
| Event Overview: Henderson’s and Kenlin’s returns should immediately boost this lineup, which was strong but had some off days in 2024. Lee, Tran, and Turner’s international experience will also lend itself well to this event. | ||
| Locks: Emily Erb, JerQuavia Hendreson, Adeline Kenlin, Cassie Lee, Karina Muñoz, Aurélie Tran, Sydney Turner | ||
| Contenders: Hanna Castillo, Alyse Karenbauer, Eva Volpe | ||
| Wildcards: Gianna Masella, Alexa Ebeling |
Records Watch
Team: 197.150 | AA: 39.750 | VT: 49.525/10.000 | UB: 49.575/9.975 | BB: 49.600/9.975 | FX: 49.650/9.975
This team will look so different in 2025 that it’s hard to predict which records could fall. Henderson could certainly post Iowa’s first 10.0 on floor, and if the freshmen can translate their elite routines seamlessly to college, the team total could be in danger as well.
The Big Picture
This year should be a breath of fresh air for the Hawkeyes, and a return to the Sweet Sixteen is possible after missing regionals last year due to inconsistency and internal strife. The returning gymnasts on this team led the way in pushing for an investigation into and the eventual departure of Libby, and the team hung together and vocally supported each other through it. With that cultural foundation, and under Lewellyn’s new leadership, Iowa is already on track for a reemergence, even before considering the incredible talent joining the team.
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Article by Emily Minehart
