January 13, 1999

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky gymnastics team is set to open its 1999 campaign when it travels to Gainesville, Fla. on Friday, Jan. 15, to take on the No.16 Florida Gators.

The GymKats, who finished the 1998 season 7-14 (3-9), defeated the Gators 194.100 to 192.250 last season in Lexington. Kentucky’s win over SEC rival Florida marked the first in school history. “Starting out against Florida is a big challenge for us,” UK coach Leah Little said. “We are small in numbers right now, but we are very excited to begin competition.”

Four members of the GymKat squad will make their debut versus UF on Friday. Sophomore transfer Natalie Hunt and highly-recruited freshmen Jessie Lemp, Jennifer Simmons and Katie Toups will wear the blue and white for the first time in the season opener. Junior All-Arounder Kristen Hoeferlin will return to action after missing most of last season with a career-threatening elbow dislocation. Sophomore Beth Coleman and senior Misty Marinik will not compete due to injury. The Cats return home on Friday, Jan. 22 when they take on Louisiana State University. The meet is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum.