Erin Dethloff has become the only freshman in ISU women’s gymnastics history to be named an All-American at the Big 12 national championships.

Dethloff, who was only the second freshman to qualify for nationals in ISU history, finished 14th in the All-Around competition last week. The top eight receive first team All-American honors and the second eight receive second team honors.

The rest of the ISU squad traveled to nationals to cheer on Dethloff.

“I could see my teammates up in the stands, and definitely hear them,” Dethloff said. “I was really happy they let my roommate Laura [Kay Powell] come down with me for support.”

The 18-year old was the only member of the ISU team who qualified for the championships in Lincoln, Neb. Dethloff notched an all-around score of 39.25, 9.850 on vault, 9.825 on balance beam, 9.825 on floor exercise and 9.750 on uneven bars.

“I’m really happy with my performance,” Dethloff said. “I hit every one of my events and didn’t have any major mistakes.”

Dethloff rotated in with Stanford’s team lineup and was the only individual participant to receive All-American honors.

“At first I was really nervous,” Dethloff said. “This was the first time I had competed without my teammates right there, but the Stanford team made me feel right at home, and cheered me on.”

Stanford freshman Natalie Foley, who finished seventh in the All-Around, said Dethloff fit right in with the Cardinals.

“We all cheered her on, because we understood it was hard for her to compete without her team, and after awhile we felt like she was a part of our team,” Foley said.

The Cyclones just missed qualifying for the nationals as a team by finishing third in the regional finals against then third-ranked Arizona State and 10th-ranked Michigan. Iowa State finished third, two-tenths of a point out of second and three-tenths out of first. Michigan went on to claim third place at nationals and Arizona State took fourth.

This season has been a remarkable one for Dethloff, who chose Iowa State over Nebraska, and other Midwest schools. Originally from Nebraska, many were surprised when she decided to leave her home state and go to school at one of the Big 12 rivals of the Cornhuskers.

Head coach K.J. Kindler isn’t surprised with Dethloff’s success.

“She just has the personality that we expected her to do this well this quickly,” Kindler said. “She has the confidence that she can deal with anything.”

Dethloff will be heading home for the summer and plans to stay in shape by practicing at her old club in Omaha. The entire team will have a last meeting before class is out and the coaches and students will come up with goals for the summer.

“We keep in close contact over the summer and do everything we can to make sure they attain their goals while home for the summer,” Kindler said.