Kentucky Gymnastics Releases 2018 Schedule

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky gymnastics has set its schedule for the 2018 season, and UK will face some of the best programs in the nation. The Wildcats are set to host five meets and travel to six schools in the regular season.
 
The Wildcats will open the season with their annual “Excite Night,” Jan. 5. Opening night will be memorable, as the Cats will compete in Rupp Arena for the first time in program history. UK will welcome Southeast Missouri State, George Washington and Ball State to the famous venue with the meet set to begin at 7 p.m.
 
“We’re looking forward to 2018 with much anticipation,” head coach Tim Garrison said. “Opening the season at home with our first meet at Rupp Arena is something we have envisioned for some time. The fact that it is now becoming a reality is very exciting. Beyond that, we have our sights set on building on the successes of a strong 2017 season with a largely unchanged roster.”
 
The Wildcats will begin Southeastern Conference competition the following week after its appearance in Rupp Arena at Arkansas on Jan 12. UK will continue SEC action the following week on Jan. 19 when Florida comes to Memorial Coliseum at 7 p.m.
 
Kentucky hits the road once again with back-to-back meets at Auburn and LSU on Jan. 26 and Feb. 2, respectively. The meet at Auburn will begin at 7 p.m., while the LSU meet time  is not yet determined.
 
The Cats will take on Georgia on Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. inside Memorial Coliseum.
 
The final road SEC meet of the season will take place on Feb. 16 at Alabama at a time to be determined. Kentucky’s final league meet will take place on Feb. 23 at home against Missouri at 7 p.m.
 
UK will finish the year with three nonconference meets. Kentucky welcomes Ohio State on March 2 for its final appearance inside Memorial Coliseum. The Wildcats will have rare Sunday and Wednesday meets to finish the regular season against New Hampshire and Illinois State on March 11 and 14, respectively.
 
The SEC Championships will be held in St. Louis once again on March 24. Regional competition will take place on April 7. Regional sites include Salt Lake City, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Raleigh, North Carolina, Columbus, Ohio, University Park, Pennsylvania and Minneapolis. The NCAA National Championships will take place inside the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, April 20-21.
 
UK will host a Blue/White scrimmage before the season starts at a time and date to be determined.
 
Kentucky returns most of its roster from a season ago, including All-Americans Mollie Korth and Alex Hyland. UK set multiple records in 2017, and earned the No. 2 seed in its NCAA Regional for the first time in school history.