Denver at Iowa State

Recap

The Big Storyline: Lynnzee Brown delivered big for the Pioneers in her first meet since her Achilles injury last March. Nebraska transfer Addy de Jesus impressed in her debut performance with the Cyclones. 

Implications: This meet felt much closer than the final score indicates, with the Cyclones leading through the first two rotations. Denver has easily maintained its position as the second-ranked team in the Big 12 since joining the conference in 2016, but if this meet is any indication, Iowa State is gunning for that spot. 

Records: Denver recorded its second-highest season opening score in program history, all the more impressive with it being an away meet.   

Controversies: Iowa State teased fans with a tweet saying that it would be fielding a lineup of six 10.0 vaults, but only ended up competing four. No doubt, all eyes will be watching to see if or when the promised lineup materializes this season. 

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 8 Denver at No. 18 Iowa State

Why You Should Make Time to Tune in: Both of these Big 12 teams are poised to make waves in the national rankings this season: After struggling with injuries to key players throughout the 2020 season, the Pioneers look refreshed and renewed, bolstered by the return of seniors Lynnzee Brown and Mia Sundstrom (not to mention a stellar freshman class led by level 10 standout Riley Mundell). Meanwhile, the Cyclones are coming off of one of their strongest seasons in years. With added depth in the form of Nebraska transfer Addy De Jesus and freshmen Emilie Hong and Kaia Parker, Iowa State will be looking to make even more noise in 2021.

Need More Proof? Standout all arounder Lynnzee Brown is back after an Achilles injury in March (spoiler alert: she looked fantastic at Denver’s recent intrasquad). Iowa State has shown a ton of difficulty in its preseason videos—at least four triple series on beam, numerous E passes on floor and (potentially) an entire lineup’s worth of 10.0 vaults. We doubt it’ll bring its full difficulty to the first meet, but there should be plenty of big skills.