The most effective way to approach a defense-less competition, is the way the Cyclones did tonight.

It was Iowa State and an empty Hilton Coliseum, at least it was in the competitors’ mind. The gymnastics team was its own world as if the home crowd and both competing teams didn’t exist.

“We come together,” said Hilary Green. “Especially Meaghan and I, cause we are the last two and it’s our job to hit it so we just say we’re Beyoncé to get in that mind-set.”

The gymnastics team faced Air Force and Minnesota in attempt to get its fourth straight victory, but fell second to Minnesota, 195.525 to 195.075, with Air Force in last scoring a 190.200. Despite the disappointing loss, Haylee Young scored first on the floor and rookie Meaghan Sievers earned second in all-arounds.

Iowa State started off the meet on the vault with Kelsey Paz, Kelly Martin, Sydney Converse, Briana Ledesma, Haylee Young and Meaghan Sievers. It was no surprise that both Young and Sievers shined, scoring a 9.800 and 9.825, respectively. With solid scores all around the lineup, the Cyclones finished the event just .300 behind first place.

The Cyclones next rotated to the uneven bars, where Haylee Young uncharacteristically fell on her first release move.

“You don’t see her fall a bunch, her bars have gotten really really good,” said coach Jay Ronayne. “You know, it was just a weird thing that happened… it just never happens.”

But the all-arounder had little to worry about with teammates Hilary Green and Meaghan Sievers by her side, both earning a 9.825 to bring the Cyclones just .025 behind Minnesota who held first place.

“I felt really good, cause last time I was in Hilton I fell which is uncharacteristic of me,” Green said about her bar routine. “But, I got into a new mindset and I was like ‘I am going to hit this’ and I was confident and I was happy about that routine.”

For the third rotation, Iowa State continued on the balance beam with Converse, Paz, Sammie Pearsall, Sievers, Young, and Alex Marasco in the line-up. Haylee Young did Haylee Young things, bouncing back from the previous rotation earning a 9.825. Highlight of the night was Alex Marasco, who earned an astonishing 9.850 and later won the Mari-Rae Sopper award. Unfortunately, the rest of the line-up didn’t put up enough to bring the Cyclones to first place.

“How can I say this without getting in trouble… she should score a lot higher than she did,” coach Ray said about Marasco’s 9.850. “It was a great performance.”

In the Cyclones last chance to obtain the lead over Minnesota and hold their lead on Air Force, Iowa State took on the floor. Pearsall, Courtney Middelkoop, Sievers, Paz, Ledesma, and Young were in the line-up. Middelkoop and Ledesma earned 9.800 scores and Haylee Young with a clutch 9.900 to tie her career-high.

Iowa State battled hard with their home crowd behind them and put up a winning fight, but the team couldn’t top Minnesota who held the lead throughout the entire meet. The Cyclones had unfamiliar mistakes from Young and Paz that had a huge impact on the final tally.

The Cyclones have another chance to get a win in their tri-meet against Nebraska, NC State, and UW-La Crosse on Sunday at 2 p.m. in Hilton Coliseum.

“I haven’t talked to [the girls] yet, but I honestly don’t think they’re thinking about a loss,” Ronayne said on looking forward to the next meet. “We are really focused on what we are doing personally and everyone of the athletes, if they made mistakes tonight, they will be upset, but it has nothing to do with another team it’s just their own performance. That’s the only thing anyone is going to have to bounce back from.”