March 7, 1998

ATHENS, Ga.-The University of Kentucky gymnastics team fell to top-ranked Georgia 186.775 to 196.800 Saturday.

The GymKats traveled light without the help of all-arounder Krissy Hoeferlin who dislocated her left elbow in the last home meet of the season vs. Alabama on Feb. 20 and sophomore Lori Freeman who tore ligaments in her back and neck in practice last Thursday. This was the final meet of the regular season for both teams to an almost sell-out crowd of 9, 513 fans in Georgia’s Stegeman Coliseum. In the first rotation, junior Misty Marinik, who sprained her left ankle in practice last week, returned to uneven bars competition leading the GymKats with a score of 9.825. UK scored a 48.200 to Georgia’s 49.300. The highlight of the vault competition was sophomore Mila Chitwood who scored a personal best of 9.650.

Senior Jennie Maxwell, making a strong comeback in floor since her stress fracture enabled her to compete during most of the season, mooned walked in a Michael Jackson medley. Junior Shawnte Hall blew out her ankles on the second pass of her floor routine and bravely continued her performance before Coach Little cut the music for the Hall’s safety. With only five gymnasts competing on floor the GymKats had a team total of 43.375. The GymKats have next week off to prepare for the SEC Championships in Baton Rouge, La. on March 21.

AGATEUK Vault            48.350          UGA Vault           49.300UK Bars             48.200          UGA Bars            48.600UK Beam             46.850          UGA Beam            49.475UK Floor            43.375          UGA Floor           49.425UK All-around                       UGA All-aroundUK Team Total       186.775         UGA Team Total      196.800