Who: Iowa State (2-6, 0-1 Big 12) vs. Denver (4-0, 1-0 Big 12)
Where: Magness Arena (7,200) – Denver, Colo.
When: Sunday, Feb. 1st, 2026 – 4:00 p.m. CST
Watch: ESPN2 // Bart Conner (PxP) & Bridget Sloan (Analyst)
Leading Off: After hosting their first home meet, Iowa State will be heading back out on the road out to Colorful Colorado. There they will face off in a dual meet against the Denver Pioneers.
Last time out ISU fell to Big 12 opponent Utah, while hosting their first home meet. Haylee Hardin stunned fans with her floor routine, while freshman Finley Weldon led the scoring on beam with a new career high.
Denver had their third meet of the season against West Virginia where they won with a team score of 196.000. Sunday’s meet will mark the first time the Cyclones have traveled to Magness Arena since 2024.
Storylines:
- Haylee Hardin continues to be powerhouse on floor for ISU. She earned a podium spot at last Sunday’s meet, with a score of 9.925. It marks her second highest career score.
- Junior Noelle Adams gained a new season high (9.875) against No.12 Utah on floor. Along with that, freshman Finley Weldon tallied up a new career high on beam with her score of 9.75.
- Frederique Sgarbossa continues to compete all-around for ISU. She set a career high of 39.100 at the New Hampshire quad meet.
From the Notes:
- Half of Iowa State’s team is new, as seven freshmen and two transfers joined the team over the summer.
- Noelle Adams currently holds third place in Cyclone history as the most freshman victories. She earned 14 in her debut season back in 2024.
- Haylee Hardin recorded a 9.95 against Arizona State last year, tying for the seventh-highest floor score in program history.
Switching Sides to Denver:
- Head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart is in her 28th season leading Denver in 2026. She is the winningest (513-226-6) and longest-tenured coach in program history (next closest: Dan Garcia – 18 seasons from 1981-98; 237-174-1).
- Denver returns seven student-athletes from its 2025 roster, led by its three seniors: Mila Brusch, Cecilia Cooley and Kiley Rorich. Entering the year, they had competed in 157 total routines.
- Denver welcomes seven newcomers to its roster in 2026 including its freshman class, which ranks as the No. 9 recruiting class in the country with six star-rated gymnasts.
