This Weekend?s Meet …
The Wildcats begin the 2004 season and ?Mo? Muhammad era of gymnastics on the road at No. 23 Ohio State, Sunday at 4 p.m. Muhammad is in his first season as the Kentucky gymnastics head coach after taking over for the legendary Leah Little, who retired at the conclusion of last season. UK is led by seniors Aronda Primault and Julie Joy, junior Michelle Gales and a host of newcomers who look to elevate Kentucky gymnastics to a higher level.
Kentucky – Ohio State series history …
Kentucky and Ohio State have met 13 times with the Buckeyes holding a 7-6 advantage. The two teams last met on Excite Nite, Jan. 5, 2002 and UK prevailed 193.925-193.700. OSU held a 0.100 advantage over the Cats heading into the final rotation and the Wildcats put together one of its strongest floor exercise performances in school history to pull out the late victory.
In the polls …
Kentucky received votes in the pre-season coach?s poll. Ohio State begins the season ranked 23rd in the poll.
Opening week success …
Kentucky has won its last two season openers. In 2002, the Cats defeated Ohio State, 193.925-193.700. Last season, UK downed George Washington, 193.675-191.500.
Kentucky is 15-15 all-time in season openers.
2004 Season Outlook
Vault
Vault has traditionally been one of Kentucky’s best events as a team and this season should be no different. Aronda Primault registered a 9.950 against Brigham Young, the third highest score in school history in the event. She also finished 10th on vault at the SEC Championships.
As a team, the Wildcats averaged a higher score on vault than any other event with a team RQS of over 49 for the season. UK tied a school record on vault when it scored a 49.325 in a match against Brigham Young last season.
Four returning Wildcats averaged a 9.700 or higher on vault, including Primault, Gales, Kara Prestigiacomo and Krista Roemerman.
Bars
The Wildcats expect a number of gymnasts to be standout performers on bars this season. Senior Julie Joy is the top returning competitor in the event. In her career as a Wildcat, Joy has recorded three of the top five scores in school history in the event.
Primault, Gales, Roemerman and Lindsay Cameron each scored a 9.750 or higher in various meets last season. In pre-season training, sophomore Staci O?Keefe and freshmen Sarai Sevier, Cook and Riley have also been impressive on uneven bars.
Beam
The Wildcats lost three of its top five performers on beam to graduation, but coach Muhammad expects his team to continue to be strong in the event.
Primault, who has held the highest RQS on beam for the last two seasons, will attempt to lead Kentucky in the event once again in 2004. Last season, she scored a 9.825 on three different occasions.
In 2002, Primault scored a 9.925 on beam against Ball State which is the fourth highest score in the event in Kentucky history second only to the lengendary Jenny Hansen.
Floor
The Wildcats return three of its top five competitors on floor after posting a team RQS of 48.506 in the event last season.
Gales scored a 9.925 in the event on occasions and held the highest RQS on the team at 9.721. She has been solid in the event through her first two seasons at Kentucky and has won five event titles. Her 9.950 score against Auburn in 2002 ranks as the third best score in UK history.
Joy finished the season with the third highest average on floor at 9.710 and Coach Muhammad believes her consistency will be her biggest asset for the team this season. Primault also returns as a strong performer on floor. She scored a season-high 9.850 in the event three times.
