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The Hajile ?Mo? Muhammad era of gymnastics began at the University of Kentucky on Friday, Nov. 22, with the annual Blue/White Scrimmage. The white squad, led by 2002 All-American Aronda Primault, took the meet by a final score of 116.450-115.900. Only the top three scores on each apparatus were used in the scoring.

Primault led all Wildcats with a 38.900 in the all-around, tallying her top event score of 9.800 on the vault. Freshman Rachel Riley also performed well, finishing second in the all-around competition with a 38.700. Junior Michelle Gales and freshman Krystle Cook tied third with totalsof 38.300.

?It is only November and we had some jitters,? Muhammad said. ?However, the freshmen showed a lot of poise, and Riley did a fantastic job. Gales? floor routine was incredible. But we have some cleaning to do. Overall, they did a fabulous job.?

Riley and Cook were tops on the vault with a 9.850, while sophomore Staci O?Keefe claimed first honors with a 9.700 on uneven bars and a 9.750 on the balance beam. Gales won the floor exercise with a 9.850.

?Gales? floor routine is incredible,? Muhammad said. ?It was great to have a crowd here and to have them perform in front of the crowd. Now we just have to get back into the gym and iron out all the kinks. After that, we?ll be ready to take on Ohio State.?

The Cats return to action when they open the 2004 regular season with a trip to Columbus, Ohio, on Friday, Jan. 4, to take on the Buckeyes. UK will open the home portion of the 2004 campaign with its annual Excite Nite when it takes on Brigham Young University on Friday, on Jan. 9.