The Iowa State gymnastics team will have a leadership change following the 2023 season, as Iowa State University Associate Athletics Director Dr. Calli Sanders made the announcement Friday that head coach Jay Ronayne will no longer be with the team. 

The last 17 years have been a whirlwind for the Iowa State Gymnastics program. From having great successes to great battles like COVID-19. The program sustained it all within the guidance of Ronayne, whose chapter at Iowa State gymnastics has come to an end. 

Throughout the years Ronayne posted a 145-197-5 in the Iowa State gymnastics program and within this record he coached 11 individuals who attained Big 12 titles, 8 All-American honors with three of them being in the last three years and three perfect 10.000s in the 2021 and 2022 season. 

In recent years, Ronayne brought the team back from the devastating pause caused by the worldwide spread of COVID-19. It is intrinsic to highlight the dedication posted by the coaching staff to overcome a barrier like a pandemic in a D1 athletic program.

As the 2023 season wrapped up, the Cyclones fell short of qualifying for the NCAA Regional bracket as a team for the first time since 1997. However, Ronayne made his last appearance on the Regional stage with Maddie Diab as a floor specialist. 

“It was disappointing to be at Regionals without my teammates but Jay made sure that I was taken care of and having fun the entire time we were there,” Diab said.

Diab also expressed how Ronayne always maintained a positive attitude in the gym and was a strong fatherly figure toward the entire team throughout Diab’s time as a Cyclone. 

“He cares for all his athletes like his own,” Diab said. 

Sanders said the program will begin searching for Ronayne’s successor immediately.

“We are grateful for coach Ronayne’s dedication and commitment to our women’s gymnastics program over the last 17 years, and wish him well in his future endeavors,” Sanders said.