Kentucky Posts Highest Score in School History with 196.950
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Kentucky posted a 196.950, the highest in program history,
when it opened Southeastern Conference action at Florida on Friday night.
Freshman Mollie Korth won her second all-around title in as many events with a
score of 39.575 to take a share of the all-around crown. Florida won the meet
197.600 – 196.950.
“The staff and I are so excited and proud of this team,
Garrison said. “Tonight was a complete team effort. We had to make changes to
all but one lineup during the meet. The athletes that stepped in performed to
the maximum and the ones that were pulled out continued to support. We had the
highest score in program history and other than coming out with the win, I
don’t know how we could ask for more. What I told this team when we got here
was ‘we didn’t come here to participate we came here to compete.’ I think they
had that mindset and they executed at a very high level.
The score bests
the 2013 squad, when the Wildcats posted a score of 196.775 at Penn State.
Korth scored an
impressive 9.925 on the floor, while also producing a 9.900 on bars. Her 9.875
on beam and vault gave her a 39.575, which is the sixth best in school history.
Only three-time NCAA Champion Jenny Hansen has posted a higher all-around score
in program history.
“It’s such an
honor to be a part of Kentucky history,” Korth said. “It feels great and my
goal is to keep going on a roll. I’m so proud of my team. We’ve been working hard
in and out of the gym.”
The freshman was
not the only one with an impressive all-around performance. Sophomore Alex
Hyland did not post a score below 9.800 on the night, highlighted by a 9.875
performance on the beam and floor. Fellow sophomore Sidney Dukes followed with
a score of 39.375 and won a share of the floor title with a score of 9.925, a
career best. Korth also took the floor crown when she tied with Dukes.
“It feels absolutely
amazing to set this record,” Dukes said. “We set big goals and we are starting
to reach them this season and it is an unbelievable feeling.”
VAULT
Kentucky posted a 49.200, the seventh-best score on the vault. Dukes
and Korth led the way with scores of 9.875, while sophomore Aubree Rosa hit a
career-best with a 9.800. Kentucky did not score below a 9.750, and sophomore Katie
Stuart tied a career high with a 9.850
UNEVEN BARS
UK’s 49.300 was the third-highest in school history and just the
fifth time the score has been hit or surpassed. Hyland and Korth produced
career highs of 9.900. Also hitting a career best was junior Cori Rechenmacher
with a 9.850.
BALANCE BEAM
The lowest score of the night was on beam, where UK still scored the 10th-best
score in program history. Kentucky scored a 49.125, while Korth and Hyland
paced the Wildcats once again with scores of 9.875, while freshman Hailey
Poland hit a career best on her only event with a 9.800.
FLOOR EXERCISE
The Wildcats shined on the floor, hitting the sixth-highest score in
school history. UK had a 49.325, and Korth and Dukes shared the crown with scores
of 9.925. Hyland followed closely behind with a score of 9.875.
For complete news and updates on the
Kentucky Gymnastics program, go to UKathletics.com. Breaking news, behind-the-scenes
updates and more can be found on Twitter at @UKGymnastics and Facebook at Facebook.com/UKGymnastics.
