The University of Iowa women's gymnastics team will open the 2007 season Friday hosting LSU. The meet is designed to bring more awareness to Breast Cancer, and fans are encouraged to be bold and wear pink. The "Think Pink" competition will benefit Breast Cancer Awareness, and fifty percent of ticket proceeds will go toward the cause. Competition will take place at Carver-Hawkeye Arena and is set to begin at 7 p.m.

Season Preview

The Hawkeyes begin their season as the 39th ranked team in the country. Iowa is coming off a sixth place finish at the 2006 Big Ten Championships. The Hawkeyes produced one second team all-Big Ten competitor, Liz Grajewski.

Scouting the Hawkeyes

Iowa returns seven letterwinners from last year when it finished with an 4-17 overall record. The Hawkeyes will add five new members to the team for the 2007 season. Jenny Donar, from Cuba City, WI, Rachel LaCasse, from St. Charles, IL, Brittany Logan, from Edmonton, Alberta, Nikki Page, from Euless, TX, and Katie Turcotte, from Temecula, CA. All are expected to be solid contributors for the Hawkeyes this season.

Last Time Against LSU

The GymHawks traveled to Baton Rouge, LA, in 2006 to compete at LSU. The Hawkeyes finished second with a 191.150 while LSU scored 195.025.

Head Coach Larissa Libby

Iowa Head Coach Larissa Libby enters her third season as head coach for the Hawkeyes. In her first two years, Libby recorded a 12-31 overall record. Before becoming head coach, Libby was Iowa's associate head coach for one year and an assistant coach for three seasons. While associate head coach, Libby led the GymHawks to a school record 49.425 beam performance in 2004. In addition, in 2004 the GymHawks recorded a 49.0 or higher seven times on beam under Libby's guidance.

Next Competition

The Hawkeyes will travel to Raleigh, NC, January 21st, to compete at North Carolina State with Georgia and Ohio State. Competition will begin at 12 p.m.(CST)