April 1, 2000

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — University of Kentucky gymnasts Mila Chitwood and Julia Gore contributed strong performances at the 2000 NCAA Southeast Regional in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Saturday evening.

Gore, a freshman from Pflugerville, Texas, competed as an individual all-arounder and took home a share of third place with her 39.050 performance. It was the fifth consecutive time this season that Gore has posted a score of 39.000 or better. Gore’s scores included a 9.800 on vault, a 9.775 on bars, a 9.650 on balance beam and a 9.775 on floor exercise.

Chitwood, a senior from Glendale, Ky., competed as an event specialist on the floor exercise. As went her entire career at Kentucky, so went her final performance as a GymKat. Chitwood showed the crowd why she was the event specialist by posting a strong 9.850, a mark she has only topped twice this season.

Alabama won the nationals preliminary, while Iowa State finished second, giving both teams the right to compete in the NCAA Championships in Boise, Idaho, April 13-15. Alabama sophomore Andree’ Pickens continued the run she began at the Southeastern Conference Championships two weeks ago, winning the all-around with a score of 39.475.

AGATE

 Team Totals 1. Alabama              197.300 2. Iowa St.             196.100 3. Ohio St.             193.625 4. Central Michigan     193.200 5. Kent St.             193.100 6. Michigan St.         192.925

All-Around 1. Andree’ Pickens Alabama 39.475 2. Betsy Hamm Iowa St. 39.350 t3. Sally Cantrell Auburn 39.050 t3. Julia Gore Kentucky 39.050 5. Jessy Smith Iowa St. 38.950

Other UK Scores: Mila Chitwood Floor Exercise 9.850