The Cyclones began their season with four injured gymnasts after accidents during preseason.

Nonetheless they managed to beat Wisconsin-Stout at the first home meet of the season. The next two meets were on the road and included losses to Utah and Missouri.

Despite the injuries, the team rallied for the next part of the season and continually rose in the NCAA rankings, starting at No. 23 and topping out at No. 13.

One of the highlights of the season was when the team beat Iowa in Iowa City, not only gratifying Cyclone fans but also bringing the Cy-Hawk trophy back to Ames. Two weeks later, however, the team suffered a loss against Iowa at Hilton Coliseum after an uncharacteristically low score.

Coach Jay Ronayne said by the end of the season, the lack of depth created by injuries was beginning to be apparent.

After the loss to Iowa, the team did not rise above No. 16 for the rest of the season.

At the end of March, the Cyclones placed fourth out of four at the Big 12 Championships at Nebraska, ending their Big 12 competition 0-6. The team was still in the top 36 in the nation, which qualified the gymnasts for regional competition.

There was still a chance the team could qualify for nationals if it placed in the top two at regionals; however, the Cyclones placed fourth after some mistakes on vault.

The fourth-place finish at regionals ended the team’s season with an overall record of 9-13.

Although the team did not qualify for nationals, one gymnast, sophomore Michelle Browning, qualified for nationals individually in the all-around competition.

With the support of her team and coaches, Browning was prepped to gain valuable experience at the elite competition.

A week before the meet, however, Browning was hospitalized with blood clots in her lungs and was forced to withdraw from her qualifying spot.

Browning will continue gymnastics for Iowa State as long as her health remains stable.

She will be one of 10 gymnasts that remain after this year, as seven seniors are graduating. The team will gain six new freshmen in the fall and Ronayne said the recruits will have to stay healthy and be ready to step up immediately.