Iowa State at West Virginia

Recap

The Big Storyline: Iowa State and West Virginia both turned in season-high performances in their first matchup of the season. 

Implications: Given Denver and Oklahoma’s performances today, these scores will not affect the Big 12 rankings. However, both programs scored season highs with less-than-perfect performances, which could lead to changes in the national rankings. If nothing else, Iowa State and West Virginia showed us yet again that they are teams to watch in 2021. 

Records: The Cyclones led off with a strong bar rotation that saw four gymnasts earn either season or career highs. The team earned its second consecutive 196, only the second time in program history it’s notched two 196-plus marks in its first three meets (and the first time under head coach Jay Roynane). West Virginia earned a season high total, as well as its second consecutive 49-plus on floor. Kendra Combs set a personal best on floor while Kianna Yancey scored a career high on beam in her first performance of the season. Emily Holmes-Hacker and Michelle Waldron also notched career highs on floor and vault respectively. 

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 17 Iowa State at No. 30 West Virginia 

Why You Should Make Time to Tune in: The Mountaineers have exceeded expectations so far this season, keeping pace with Big 12 front-runner Oklahoma in back-to-back meets. The Cyclones, meanwhile, defeated fifth-ranked Denver for the first time since 2013 and posted the Big 12’s highest team total of the weekend (thanks in part to junior Addy De Jesus’s perfect 10 on vault). De Jesus is establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with, ranking 19th nationally in the all around and first on vault. She’s already gone 9.850-plus on all four events and could realistically challenge the country’s top all arounders with a hit performance.  

Need More Proof? This meet will be worth watching for the floor rotations alone: West Virginia alumna and first-year assistant coach Zaakira Muhammad has choreographed a lineup of truly unique routines while Iowa State boasts some of the highest difficulty in the country.