HAWK TALK

April 2019

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31 T he University of Iowa men's gymnastics team was able to cross off a goal aer becoming Big Ten regular- season champions. Next on Iowa's to-do list? A Big Ten championship. "I think winning the regular-season Big Ten title gave us a lot of confidence," said freshman Stewart Brown. "Coming in, everyone doubted us and kept us out of the conversation. I think winning the regular-season was a big thing for us in proving ourselves. Going into (the Big Ten Championships on April 5-6), I think we know that we have prepared to hit our sets and the outcome will be what we want." e Hawkeyes are going to be comfortable and confident going into the championships with the momentum they have, fresh off the regular-season title, as well as their return home for the postseason. e next time they hear their names roar through Carver-Hawkeye Arena, it won't be just any home meet. It is going to be a podium-style Big Ten Championship. "I think it is exciting that we are going to have the Big Ten Championships at home," said Iowa head coach JD Reive. "It changes the dynamic a little bit. ere is more energy, more of a hometown feel, and more electricity being in our own arena." e team wants to run out of the arena tunnel into a sea of black and gold to a loud salute of I-O- W-A. "I am hoping to get a big home crowd," said senior Kevin Johnson. "at way we will have a great atmosphere to motivate us to get the championship." "I am excited for the energy that will be in Carver," said Brown. "ere are a lot of friends and family coming from home (Taylorsville, North Carolina), so I think that will be good for me. I am going to enjoy competing in Carver; I will be comfortable there, because I have done it multiple times. I think everything is laid out in the right position for the team to do well." e Hawkeyes are excited to showcase their success in the biggest meet so far — on the biggest stage — and they want to share it with fans. "Bring the energy, bring the noise, have an incredible time," said Reive. "is is one of the best gymnastics meets in the world. I think the Big Ten championships are an amazing event to watch, so being there to experience it first-hand is awesome, especially in Carver with the podium. It is world- class. "Bring the love and energy for the guys, because they have earned the right to be out there competing for a title. It has been a lot of hard work, so come join them and be a part of that." APRIL SCHEDULE April 5-6 Big Ten Championships (Iowa City, Iowa) April 19-20 NCAA Championships (Champaign, Illinois)

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