Jan. 22, 2010
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The 12th-ranked University of Kentucky gymnastics team tied its second-best score in school history on the floor exercise, but fell short to fourth-ranked Florida 196.050-195.350 Friday, Jan. 22 at Memorial Coliseum.
The Wildcats (3-2, 1-1 in the Southeastern Conference) topped Florida (2-1, 2-0 SEC) 49.350-49.075 on the floor, behind a career-best performance from Emily Green (Penfield, N.Y.). The senior recorded a meet-best score of 9.950 for title honors, matching UK’s best individual score in the event since Heather Hite’s 9.950 on March 16, 2007. Teammates senior Hillary Ferguson (Richmond, Ky.) and junior Jasmine Minion (Memphis, Tenn.) tied for third at 9.875.
UK’s team score in the event was previous reached against Ball State on March 5, 2004. The school record is 49.450 set against George Washington on Jan. 30, 1998.
“Emily (Green) was outstanding with her performance on the floor,” head coach Mo Mitchell said. “She came pretty close to earning a perfect score. The team really enjoys the floor exercise because it allows the girls to express themselves. They really have a great talent level for the event.”
Florida led the meet throughout the night, winning the first three events before Kentucky’s floor performance.
Kentucky registered its season high on the beam with a 48.600, but finished behind Florida at 48.750. UK sophomore Storey Morris (Tyler, Texas) tied her career-high with a 9.825 to share title honors with Florida’s Courtney Gladys and Liz Green. UK’s Emily Green took second place with a 9.800.
The Gators won vault 49.175-48.750. Florida’s Gladys and Ashanee Dickerson took first place with 9.875 scores. UK’s Ferguson tied a season-high, finishing second at 9.850.
Florida won on the uneven bars 49.050-48.650. A trio of Gators shared title honors with 9.825 scores: Elizabeth Mahlich, Alicia Goodwin and Maranda Smith. Kentucky’s Whitney Rose (Frisco, Texas) tied Florida’s Ashanee Dickerson for second at 9.800. UK’s Morris tied Florida’s Marissa King for third at 9.775.
“We didn’t get the scores we needed on vault and bars,” Mitchell said. “We’re getting better on beam though, so I’m happy to see that. We just have to go back, make some adjustments and keep getting better.”
Kentucky travels to Fayetteville, Ark., next Friday to take on Arkansas. First rotations begin at 8 p.m. EST.
For complete coverage of Kentucky gymnastics, please visit www.ukathletics.com and follow “UKGymnastics” on Facebook and Twitter.
