The University of Kentucky gymnastics team announced its 2002 schedule on Tuesday, Oct. 30. Traditionally one of the toughest schedules in the nation, the 11-meet regular season is highlighted by a trip to 2001 NCAA runner-up Georgia and a home contest with perennial-power Alabama, which finished fourth at last season’s NCAA Championships.
The GymKats kick off the season with the 19th annual Excite Nite. A family affair since 1984, the kickoff to the gymnastics season undergoes a slight change this year as UK welcomes No. 17 Ohio State to the festivities, marking the first time the event has served as a regular-season meet.
“We are excited about this season’s schedule,” Coach Leah Little said. “With Excite Nite, we will be able to have our first competition in front of a big crowd and on television. Our six home meets are the most ever, and along with the always-tough Southeastern Conference slate, this schedule gives us a great opportunity to compete against some of the best teams in the country and prepare for the postseason.”
UK then travels to the Bahamas to face No. 24 North Carolina State in the Bahama Breeze Invitational. The GymKats return home for meets with No. 7 Florida and No. 22 New Hampshire. After a trip to the Governor’s Cup at West Virginia, Kentucky visits Georgia.
Ball State and Auburn invade Memorial Coliseum before UK visits No. 13 LSU. On March 8, the Crimson Tide comes to the Bluegrass. The GymKats nearly pulled off one of the program’s biggest upsets in Tuscaloosa last season, dropping a close meet by just .075. UK closes out the regular season with a visit to Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas.
Of the 13 teams UK will face during the 2002 campaign, 10 competed in the 2001 NCAA Regional Championships, while eight finished the season in the top 25.
