With a 39.325 all-around score from Aronda Primault, the 18th-ranked University of Kentucky gymnastics team totaled 194.750 on the night but could not overcome a school-record 197.500 from No. 10 LSU. Primault’s all-around title is her third consecutive of the season.
“We had a good effort tonight,” Coach Leah Little said. “We made a few mistakes, but the good thing about that is that we still nearly scored a 195 and we got rid of a low score in figuring our regional qualifying score. We will just go back to the gym and keep working to improve.”
The night got off to a rocky start for UK (7-5, 1-3 Southeastern Conference) on the uneven bars with two falls in the first three competitors. However, the GymKats recovered with a 9.800 each from Primault and Julie Joy, while Jessie Lemp contributed a 9.825. The Tigers (6-6, 3-1 SEC) took advantage on the vault with a 9.950 from Kristin Uranski to take the 49.150-48.400 early lead.
Primault again led the way for UK in the second rotation as the GymKats moved to the vault. Her 9.825, along with a Joy’s 9.775, Julia Gore’s 9.500 and Michelle Gales’ 9.700 gave Kentucky a 48.650 on the apparatus. However, with four scores of 9.900 or better by LSU, including a 9.975 and a pair of 9.950s, the Tigers scored a school-record 49.650 to increase its lead to 98.800-97.050.
In the third rotation, UK made its way to the floor exercise where they have been improving as of late. With two consecutive 49.200 or better team totals under their belts, the GymKats responded with a season-high 49.300, the second highest in school history. Gore led the way with a career-high 9.925 to win the individual honors, while Gales added a 9.900, her third consecutive 9.900 or better and sixth of the season. Rounding out the scoring were Primault with a 9.850, Joy with a 9.825 and Melanie Zaharias with a 9.800. LSU had another strong performance on the beam to increase its overall lead to 148.125-146.350.
The fourth rotation took the GymKats to their weakest event, the balance beam. Despite counting a fall, they totaled a 48.400 behind a 9.850 from Primault and a 9.800 from Mindy Smith. Lemp added a 9.750, while Joy contributed a 9.700 to give Kentucky a 194.750. However, a 49.375 on floor by the Tigers gave them the win.
The GymKats return to action for their final home meet of the season when they play host to No. 2 Alabama on Senior Night on Friday, March 8.
Team Scores
1. LSU197.500
2. Kentucky194.750
Attendance: 1,090
Individual Apparatus Results
Vault: LSU – 49.150, UK – 48.650
1. Kristin Uranski (LSU) 9.950, 2. Shanyn McEachern (LSU) 9.875, 3. Marina Degteva (LSU) 9.850, 4. Aronda Primault (UK) 9.825, 5. Julie Joy (UK) 9.775, 5. Adrienne Couret (LSU) 9.775, 7. Julia Gore (UK) 9.750, 8. Michelle Gales (UK) 9.700, 8. Nicki Arnstad (LSU) 9.700, 10. Lauren Companioni (LSU) 9.650, 11. Kara Prestigiacomo (UK) 9.600, 12. Melanie Zaharias (UK) 9.250.
Uneven Bars: LSU – 49.650, UK – 48.400
1. Beth Boudreaux (LSU) 9.975, 2. Marina Degteva (LSU) 9.950, 2. Sharene Mamby (LSU) 9.950, 4. Kristin Uransky (LSU) 9.900, 5. Brooke Cazeaux (LSU) 9.875, 6. Jessie Lemp (UK) 9.825, 7. Julie Joy (UK) 9.800, 7. Aronda Primault (UK) 9.800, 7. Nicki Arnstad (LSU) 9.800, 10. Nicole Allen (UK) 9.650, 11. Julia Gore (UK) 9.325, 12. Lindsay Cameron (UK) 9.025.
Balance Beam: LSU – 49.325, UK – 48.400
1. Beth Boudreaux (LSU) 9.925, 2. Nicki Arnstad (LSU) 9.875, 3. Lauren Companioni (LSU) 9.850, 3. Adrienne Couret (LSU) 9.850, 3. Aronda Primault (UK) 9.850, 6. Lindsay Beddow (LSU) 9.825, 7. Mindy Smith (UK) 9.800, 8. Jessie Lemp (UK) 9.750, 9. Julie Joy (UK) 9.700, 10. Michelle Gales (UK) 9.300, 10. Melanie Zaharias (UK) 9.300, 12. Rebecca Lightsey (LSU) 9.075.
Floor Exercise: LSU – 49.375, UK – 49.300
1. Julia Gore (UK) 9.925, 2. Lauren Companioni (LSU) 9.900, 2. Michelle Gales (UK) 9.900, 4. Beth Boudreaux (LSU) 9.875, 4. Brooke Cazeaux (LSU) 9.875, 4. Rachel Franzella (LSU) 9.875, 7. Chelsea Richard (LSU) 9.850, 7. Aronda Primault (UK) 9.850, 9. Sharene Mamby (LSU) 9.825, 9. Julie Joy (UK) 9.825, 11. Melanie Zaharias (UK) 9.800, 12. Nicole Allen (UK) 9.325.
All-Around:
1. Aronda Primault (UK) 39.325, 2. Julie Joy (UK) 39.100.
