The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Hawkeye men’s gymnasts set for NCAAs

Iowas+Andrew+Botto+finishes+his+routine+on+floor+during+the+Iowa-Nebraska+match+at+Carver-Hawkeye+Arena+on+Monday%2C+March+20%2C+2017.+The+Hawkeyes+defeated+the+Huskers%2C+408.300-400.000.+%28The+Daily+Iowan%2FMargaret+Kispert%29
Iowa’s Andrew Botto finishes his routine on floor during the Iowa-Nebraska match at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Monday, March 20, 2017. The Hawkeyes defeated the Huskers, 408.300-400.000. (The Daily Iowan/Margaret Kispert)

By Jess Westendorf

[email protected]

The No. 8 Iowa men’s gymnastics team has its sights set on the 2017 NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championship on Friday and Saturday.

The Hawkeyes top two performers, seniors Andrew Botto and Cory Paterson, stand poised to lead the team on the floor.

This season, the Hawkeyes have lost a total of 11 meets, only winning five. Unfortunately, Iowa didn’t do much in the Big Ten.

It finished the season with a 2-8 conference record, dropping meets against No. 4 Illinois, No. 5 Minnesota, No. 7 Nebraska, and No. 6 Penn State.

This brings up some concerns, considering Iowa will be competing in the second session against teams it faced during the season, falling short.

The Hawkeyes will compete against No. 1 Oklahoma, No.4 Illinois, No. 5 Minnesota, No. 9 California, and No. 12 Navy.

Out of the five teams Iowa will face, the Hawkeyes have only defeated California, 399.900-396.550.

The Hawkeyes did not clash with the Midshipmen this season, but faced the other teams.

Despite losing the overall meets, Botto and Paterson showed commitment and devotion to staying on top, and the numbers prove it.

Botto

The Redwood City, California, native continued to shine this season as the go-to guy for Iowa.

Botto competed in every meet this season, taking home either a first-place title or finished as a close second.

He ranks 12th in the all-around with a 79.938 and 11th on rings with a 14.288 as he closes out the season.

During Iowa’s win against California, Botto took home the title on vault with a 14.500 and placed second in the all-around with a 79.400.

In Iowa’s next meet against Oklahoma and Minnesota, he came in at a close second in the all-around, registering a season-best (at the time) 80.400.

Through the next few meets against Illinois and eventually Nebraska and No.6 Penn State, Botto improved his all-around score and even took home the all-around (81.550) and vault (14.950) title against Illinois.

Paterson

The senior from Oakville, Ontario, Canada, hit his stride this season with the Hawkeyes. He ended the season ranked 10th on high bar with a national-qualifying average of 14.250.

Compared with last season, Paterson has made major improvements. He saw action in only eight competitions last year, whereas this season he has not missed a meet.

Against Oklahoma and Minnesota on Feb. 10, Paterson was one of two gymnasts to walk away with a first-place title. He registered a 14.300 on high-bar to secure the title.

Then on March 11, he finished in third with a 13.900 on high-bar in the Hawkeyes tri-meet loss to Minnesota and Arizona State.

Paterson bounced right back to winning the high-bar title against Penn State with a 14.050 overall score.

To put the cherry on top, Paterson was one of five gymnasts to advance to the final round at the Big Ten Championships on April 8. There, he received a silver medal on the high-bar (14.350).

As Iowa prepares for the NCAA Championships this week and into this weekend, one can expect Botto and Paterson to be in the lineup. The numbers show that success happens with these two are in the rotation.

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