The season may be four months away but it is never too early to get a leg up on your UK gymnastics knowledge. Here is a brief outlook on the upcoming 2006 season. Also, starting next week, we will be showcasing some Q&A?s of some of the Wildcat gymnasts.
After making its first NCAA Regional appearance since 2002 last season, the 2006 University of Kentucky gymnastics squad returns 12 roster members to a team that enjoyed a 14-win output ? its highest since 1993 ? and a top national ranking of No. 10 in 2005.
Third-year head coach Mo Muhammad?s team will feature a balanced attack and plenty of depth. Top returnees include junior Lucy Burgin and sophomores Krystle Cook and Rachel Riley. Burgin finished tied for fifth on vault at last season?s NCAA Regional meet with a career-high mark of 9.85. Cook led UK on bars and vault with season averages of 9.748 and 9.740, respectively, and posted a 9.9 on the floor versus Denver (fifth all-time at UK). Riley was UK?s top all-around performer at the 2005 SEC Championships.
The roster?s stock continues to strengthen as the Cats welcome aboard incoming freshmen Heather Hite, Ashley Armour and Natalie Rubinstein. Also joining the UK family is former Olympic Gymnastics Force coach and independent consultant, Jackie McCarter, who begins her first season as an assistant coach. McCarter brings more than 20 years of experience to her new post.
Academically, the squad continued to make impressive strides last season, reaching a team cumulative grade point average of 3.39. Of the team?s 16 gymnasts on the 2005 roster, 13 earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher, while seven of those finished above a 3.5. Two gymnasts tallied 4.0 GPAs, including recent graduate Krista Prestigiacomo and senior Bethany Strauch.
This season, the Cats will host five home meets, including the season opening ?Excite Night?, January 14th, versus Illinois State and Southeast Missouri at Memorial Coliseum. All the pieces look to be in place as the team continues their rapid growth and sets their sights on a 2006 NCAA Championships berth.
