AUBURN, Ala. — Competing on the stage featuring four national powerhouse teams and three Olympians, Iowa State made a strong statement, narrowly placing fifth out of six in the second preliminary session of the NCAA national gymnastics championships Thursday night.

“We surprised a lot of people,” said head coach K.J. Kindler. “I don’t think people expected us to contend as much as we did. We definitely made a name for ourselves tonight.”

The Cyclones posted the fifth-highest score of the day, 195.975, and finished eighth out of 12 teams in the tournament.

The team started off with a solid showing on beam, suffering a few nervous bobbles on dance elements, but securely hitting all of its flight elements. The only major misstep came in a near fall by sophomore Ashley Alden. Juniors Erin Dethloff and Laura-Kay Powell led the Cyclones with a pair of 9.8s, while sophomores Janet Anson and Jade Kvach followed with a pair of 9.775s.

Kindler said she was proud of the Cyclones’ strong start, noting that all of the teams’ practice in preparation for the treacherous event during the past four weeks paid off.

After a second-rotation bye, the Cyclones returned to the floor, taking the competition by storm, with each gymnast building off of Kvach’s 9.825 start. Powell was the team’s highest finisher, posting a season-high 9.90, followed by Anson with a 9.875. Alden matched her career-high 9.85 to tie with Dethloff and junior Kacey Oiness.

Powell’s performance earned her a fourth-place finish on the floor, garnering first-team All-American honors and a trip to the floor event finals Saturday.

Iowa State continued the charge on vault, sticking half of its landings. Anson, an event finalist at last year’s championship, led the pack with a 9.90.

Anson’s vault was strong enough to advance her to Saturday’s event finals for the second straight year. She said she was thrilled to return to the finals, but was more pleased with the team’s overall performance.

Several small errors on uneven bars caused the Cyclones to slip back to fifth after a strong finish on beam by Florida. Powell caught a release move close to the bar and sophomore Katie Lasher had several pauses in her routine, forcing the Cyclones to count a 9.65. Dethloff led the team with a score of 9.825.

Dethloff’s all-around performance (39.3) earned her an eighth-place finish, and second-team All-American honors for the third consecutive year.

Dethloff, Powell and Anson made ISU history, becoming the first trio from Iowa State to earn All-American honors in the same season. Anson earned her fourth All-American honor, while Powell received her first.

“A lot of people didn’t really know us before,” Dethloff said. “I think we definitely turned a lot of heads and made a name for ourselves going into the future.”

Five-time national champion Georgia took first in the session with a 197.350, followed in second by two-time defending national champion UCLA with a 197.025. Alabama, who has never lost a national championship contested in their home state, finished third with at 197.00.

“It’s the one time when you lose, but you are excited about it,” Anson said.