IOWA CITY -

The University of Iowa men's gymnastics team celebrated its 2009 season May 3 with the team's annual Dr. C.E. Obermann Awards Banquet.

Senior Geoff Reins was named the N.R. Holzaepfel Most Valuable Team Member. Reins was the 2009 Big Ten Champion on vault, and earned all-American status on the event after qualifying for the NCAA Championship Individual Event Finals, and placing second with a 16.30. His performances this season were enough to also qualify him as all-Big Ten. He recorded one school record this season, on floor exercise (15.45), and continues to hold the record on vault (16.30) for the second consecutive season. The senior was named co-Big Ten Gymnast of the Week on March 2, after his performance on the road against Big Ten foe Illinois. The selection marked the second time Reins earned the weekly accolade during his career. Reins was a 2009 member on the 16+ Start Value Club for the Hawkeyes.

Junior co-Captain Jonathan Buese received the Coaches Appreciation Award. He held the top event scores in the all-around (84.05), parallel bars (14.20), and the horizontal bar (14.50) for the 2009 campaign. Buese also earned the 2009 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award for Iowa men's gymnastics. Junior Reid Urbain had a successful season, recording a new school record on rings with a 14.80 against Nebraska and Minnesota at home February 14. Urbain was also honored with the Best Work Ethic award this season.

Sophomore Ben Ketelsen earned the Most Hit Routines at Big Ten & NCAA Meets for 2009, going 10-10 in competition. He was also a 2009 member on the 16+ Start Value Club for the Hawkeyes.

Four additional Hawkeyes received team honors, with senior Diego Mercado-Austin named to the 2008-09 Academic all-Big Ten team. Junior Danny Kuklinski was named as the Most Improved Student, and freshman Blaine Klaczak received the Academic Excellence award. Freshman Jacob Swafford was the third member of the 16+ Start Value Club for 2009.

"We had a great banquet. We recognized several guys for their 2009 achievements, but also focused on being successful in 2010," said Hawkeye Head Coach Tom Dunn.

Lettermen Honored

Senior Award:
Diego Mercado-Austin Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
Geoff Reins Buffalo Grove, IL

Third Award:
Jonathan Buese Gainesville, FL
Joel Snyder Vernon Hills, IL
Reid Urbain Fort Atkinson, Wi

Second Award:
Danny Kuklinski West Allis, WI
Ben Ketelsen Lancaster, OH
Mike Jiang Littleton, CO

First Award:
Zach Cazabon Brentwood, MO
John Haines Fort Wayne, IN
Blaine Klaczak Frankfort, IL
Tayler Scharman Salt Lake City, UT
Jacob Swafford Knoxville, TN
Adam Wilson Racine, WI

SPECIAL RECOGNITION / ANNOUNCEMENTS

School Records:
Floor Exercise (15.45), Geoff Reins
Rings (14.80), Reid Urbain

2008-09 Academic All-Big Ten:
Diego Mercado-Austin

2009 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award (for Iowa Men's Gymnastics):
Jonathan Buese

March 2, 2009: Big Ten Gymnast of the Week:
Geoff Reins

2009 Big Ten Vaulting Champion, All-Big Ten Team & NCAA all-American:
Geoff Reins

AWARDS:
-16+ Start Value Club 2009 Members:
Geoff Reins (FE & V),
Ben Ketelsen (V)
Jacob Swafford (V)

-Academic Excellence:
Blaine Klaczak

-Most Improved Student:
Danny Kuklinski

-Most Hit Routines @ Big Ten & NCAA Meets:
Ben Ketelsen (10 for 10)

-Best Work Ethic:
Reid Urbain

-Coaches Appreciation Award:
Jonathan Buese

-N.R. Holzaepfel Most Valuable Team Member:
Geoff Reins