February 12, 1999

The University of Kentucky gymnastics team (4-4,0-2) fell to No. 6Michigan 195.525 to 189.975 on Friday, Feb. 12 in Memorial Coliseum.

No. 21 Kentucky led competition after the first rotation by a vault scoreof 48.725 to Michigan’s 48.550 on uneven bars. The Kats would never leadagain. UK struggled on bars and beam with falls, while Michigan scored animpressive 49.225 on vault and 49.125 on floor exercise.

The top GymKats in each event included senior Shawnte Hall who tied forfourth on vault with a score of 9.800 and senior Misty Marinik who tied forthird-place honors on uneven bars with a 9.825. Junior Mila Chitwoodfinished fifth on balance beam with a score of 9.550 and tied for third onfloor exercise with a 9.825. Freshman Jennifer Simmons placed third inall-around competition with a score of 38.175.

“I am extremely disappointed in the team after tonight’s performance,”Coach Leah Little said. “We had made a lot of progress up until now. We’vebeen telling the girls in practice that this could be the turning point inour season. We got a great start, but we just lost our focus. I know wehave the potential to do well if we can put it all together consistently.”

The GymKats return to action on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 7:30 p.m. when theyface Ball State and Brigham Young in Memorial Coliseum.