On Friday, the University of Kentucky will pay tribute to three seniors who will experience the final home competition of their careers, as the Wildcats play host to Ball State in Memorial Coliseum at 7:30 p.m.
UKAthletics.com will feature profiles on Wildcat gymnasts Aronda Primault (Tuesday) and Julie Joy (Wednesday), as well as manager Gina Augspurger (Thursday) leading up to the meet against the Cardinals.
Co-Captain Aronda Primault has had one of the most illustrious careers in Kentucky gymnastics history. In 2002, Primault finished 12th on vault and claimed second-team All-America recognition. The Canton, Ohio, native is one of three UK gymnasts to garner All-America honors. Primault tied for fifth in the All-Around at the SEC Championships the same season and received first-team All-SEC recognition as well.
Primault led Kentucky on vault, beam and floor in 2002 and 2003, and she has the team?s highest bars, beam and all-around averages this season. She tied her career-high 39.350 All-Around score in a meet against Auburn and George Washington (1/30/04) earlier this season. Unfortunately, Primault suffered a severe knee injury two weeks ago in a meet at LSU and will miss the remainder of the season.
Q&A with Aronda Primault
What do you like the most about college gymnastics?
?I like that it is more team oriented at this level than it is at the club level. The coaches already know what we can do so they aren?t teaching us new skills, we are trying to perfect our skills.?
Why did you choose to attend Kentucky?
?I enjoyed myself more here than anywhere else. The coaches were interested in getting to know me and how I felt about things and it made me feel comfortable.?
What are you going to miss the most about the UK?
?I?m going to miss the people. I?ve found myself at UK and I?ve learned so much in my four years here. As far as gymnastics goes, I?m going to miss competing. I won?t miss practice much, but the actual competing part was always a lot of fun.?
Will you stay involved with gymnastics after you leave?
?I might come back and help coach the summer camps sometimes. Julie Joy and I were talking about coming back to play around in the gym after my knee gets better. I probably won?t get into full-time coaching though.?
What other sport would you like to try besides gymnastics?
?All I?ve known is gymnastics, but when I was younger I wanted to run track. To this day, I still want to do it. I don?t regret it, but it would have been nice to do some other things.?
How do you feel about the new coaching staff?
?I like them a lot. They are all great.?
