Iowa State gymnastics nearly gave up a lead it had held the entire meet against Towson and Wisconsin-Oshkosh before back-to-back career bests on the floor from Kelsey Paz and Briana Ledesma clinched the first place finish with a score of 194.275. Towson finished second with 193.075, and UW-Oshkosh took third with 184.025.

The Cyclones started out with a much improved performance on vault. The first five performers improved on their scores from last weekend’s meet against Arizona State and the final performer, Meaghan Sievers, was the highest scorer for the event.

After the first rotation, Iowa State was in the lead with a score of 48.750. Towson was in second with 47.875, followed by Wisconsin-Oshkosh in third with a score of 45.650.

The Cyclones extended their lead over Towson to 97.500-95.675 after the second rotation on the uneven bars. Then things started to tighten up.

Kelsey Paz was the only one who improved her score from last weekend. A fall off the balance beam was one of what coach Jay Ronayne called “missed opportunities” throughout the night. Heading into the final rotation the lead had shrunk to just .65 points ahead of the Tigers.

Hilary Green finished short on her final rotation on the floor exercise. Molly Russ finished with a 9.550. With three gymnasts left for the Cyclones, they had nearly given away the lead.

Then the back-to-back career bests from Paz and Ledesma sealed the win for the Cyclones.

Iowa State will be on the road next Saturday in Tucson to face off against the Arizona Wildcats.