Ranked Red Rocks spoil home opener for Iowa State

January 26, 2026 - 02:45

Iowa State's gymnastics team opened their home season with a tough challenge, falling to the twelfth-ranked Utah Utes at Hilton Coliseum on Sunday. The final score favored the visiting Red Rocks, 195.725 to 192.300.

The meet carried significant historical weight for the program, as it was broadcast nationally on ESPN. This marked the first time a gymnastics meet from Hilton Coliseum was featured on the network, showcasing the Cyclones on a major stage.

Facing a seasoned and highly-ranked opponent, the Cyclones fought through inconsistencies on several apparatuses. The team showed flashes of strong routines but was unable to match the depth and precision of the Utah lineup throughout the four-event slate.

Despite the final result, the atmosphere and national spotlight provided a memorable launch to the home schedule. The team will look to build on the experience as they continue their season, aiming to translate the energy of a televised home meet into improved scores in future competitions. The focus now shifts to refining routines and building consistency against conference foes.