Jan. 9, 2010
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky gymnastics team (1-0) swept all events in claiming a 194.850-187.250 season-opening victory over Texas Woman’s University (0-1) Saturday at Memorial Coliseum.
Sophomore Storey Morris (Tyler, Texas) headlined Kentucky’s gymnasts, sharing titlist honors in two events. Morris recorded a personal best in matching teammate senior Emily Green (Penfield, N.Y.) for first place on the beam with a 9.825. Morris also shared top honors on the uneven bars with teammates senior Jacque Behrendt (Franklin, Tenn.) and senior Jamie Reimann (Johnston, Iowa) by scoring a 9.750.
UK senior Hillary Ferguson (Richmond, Ky.) and sophomore Whitney Rose (Frisco, Texas) shared title honors on the vault with a 9.850. UK junior Jasmine Minion (Memphis, Tenn.) took title honors on the floor exercise with a 9.825. UK junior Andrea Mitchell (Knoxville, Tenn.), who tied a personal best on the floor exercise with a 9.800, took first place in the all-around competition with a 38.800.
“Tonight gave us an idea of where we are and where we need to be as we prepare for the rest of the season,” said UK head coach Mo Mitchell. “Our team score will get us in the national rankings and we are happy about that.”
Kentucky showed signs of progress from last season on both the uneven bars and the balance beam. UK’s team score on the balance beam against Texas Woman’s (48.400) was higher than what the Wildcats scored during eight meets a year ago. Kentucky’s 48.675 mark on the uneven bars scored higher than seven meets in 2009.
“It’s a good start,” Mitchell said. “It’s a step in the right direction, but the team knows we can do better.”
Rashonda Cannie led Texas Woman’s in three events: uneven bars (9.700), floor exercise (9.600) and the all-around (37.350). Marcella Fallon led TWU on the vault (9.675) while Caroline Hilpisch led the Pioneers on the beam (9.550).
The Wildcats’ win capped off Excite Night festivities that began the evening with clowns, jugglers, magicians and aerial acts as part of a circus-themed pre-meet event.
Kentucky travels to Las Vegas, Nev., to compete against LSU and Arizona State in the Lady Luck Invitational, Friday, Jan. 15. Rotations begin at 10 p.m. EST.
