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47 T hree hundred 29 days passed since the University of Iowa men's gymnastics team had its 2020 season end abruptly because of the coronavirus pandemic. e culmination of the extended time off was a season-opening 393.650-387.050 victory over No. 8 Minnesota on Feb. 1 in Minneapolis. e score catapulted the Hawkeyes to fih place in the Road to Nationals rankings. "We did a good job competing, but we did not have an ideal competition," said head coach JD Reive. "It was good, but we're not satisfied with the number because we still counted a number of misses. e good news was, it was nerves and jitters because it has been almost a year since any of us have done anything in person like this. "Once we got through that, we turned it on." e Hawkeyes won five of six events against the Gophers. Senior Bennet Huang and junior Stewart Brown shared the title on floor (14.100), junior Evan Davis scored a 13.850 to win rings, Iowa went 1-2-3 on vault with Amari Sewell leading the way with a 14.500 and Carter Tope placed first on the parallel bars (13.900). Huang was the all-around champion and his performance helped him earn Big Ten Gymnast of the Week honors on Feb. 1. "We've been trying to recreate those nerves that go along with competing so when we get out there against Illinois (Feb. 13), we're mentally tougher and more prepared for what we're doing," said Reive. Reive was especially pleased with the start because of the adversity the team has faced. "We have done a good job of preparing with what, in any other circumstances, wouldn't have worked," said Reive. "With the adversity we've faced between the end of the season and the summer along with the COVID stuff, it was good for them to have the experience and go out and know we prepared well. "ey put their heads down and got to work once we started practicing even with the bad news that the program was discontinuing. ey came together and were like, 'Let's get this done, get to work and do it.'" Reive credits his team's leadership — that of team tri-captains Huang, Davis and Peyton Hobson — for keeping the team morale high and putting in the work. "Bennet has been a leader in our program for a while and he has matured into that position," said Reive. "He has taken the reigns with Evan and Peyton. ey have done a good job of keeping guys in line and having a good time with the work. "at's been a big piece and we need to continue working and building as the season progresses." FEBRUARY SCHEDULE Feb. 13 Illinois Feb. 20 Penn State