The University of Kentucky gymnastics team will begin the 2006 season ranked No. 23 according to a recently released GymInfo preseason coaches? poll.

?We are poised and focused to let our preseason ranking be a starting point and methodically work our way to the top,? UK Coach Mo Muhammad said. ?I feel our ranking is indicative of the level of competition in our conference and based on the compilations of strength of schedule. We will have many opportunities to produce some upsets this season.?

Once again, the Southeastern Conference remains the top conference in the nation. All seven SEC gymnastic sponsored schools are ranked among the top-25. Reigning NCAA champ Georgia tops the list at No. 1, followed by No. 4 Alabama, No. 6 Florida, No. 7 LSU, No. 15 Auburn and No. 20 Arkansas. UK?s non-conference schedule will include road trips to No. 13 Oregon State and No. 22 North Carolina.

Third-year head coach Mo Muhammad returns 10 letterwinners to a squad that reached the NCAA Regionals last year for the first time since 2002. The Cats spent a majority of 2005 ranked among the top-25 and reached a peak ranking of No. 10.

UK opens the 2006 season, Jan. 14, when it hosts ?Excite Nite? at Memorial Coliseum at 6 p.m. Fans can catch a glimpse of the squad this Saturday (Dec. 10) when the Cats host a Blue/White scrimmage at Memorial Coliseum at 6 p.m. Admission to the event is free.