The Kentucky gymnastics squad looks to open its 2005 season Saturday as it hosts Bowling Green State in the 22nd annual ?Excite Nite? at Memorial Coliseum. Activities get underway at 6 p.m. with meet time set for 7 p.m. Tickets for ?Excite Nite? are $5 with $2 tickets available for seniors and children 18 and under. The first 1,000 fans will receive UK gymnastics schedule magnets.
The theme ?The Greatest Show in Kentucky? will include true circus style entertainment including mascots, gymnasts, clowns, the ever-famous Raising Cain jugglers, TNT Tumbling and Trampoline and much more. The University of Kentucky National Champion cheerleaders will also be entertaining the crowd. Master of ceremonies, Dick Gabriel, will make certain that the night will be filled with fierce competition, excitement and fun.
?We are looking to get the bitter taste out of our mouth from last season,? UK head coach Mo Muhammad said. ?We have an exciting and talented team this season and we want to invite all UK gymnastics fans to come cheer us on in our season opener.?
The Wildcats return a veteran team in 2005 under second-year head coach Mo Muhammad. Kentucky is led by senior captain Michelle Gales, who led UK with a team-high 39.4 average in all-around competition last season. Fellow seniors Lindsay Cameron, Kara Prestigiacomo, and Krista Prestigiacomo also return for the Cats. After a promising 37.3 score in the all-around competition at the annual Blue/White Meet, sophomore Rachel Riley looks to be a key factor into the Kentucky rotation. Nine underclassmen also bring talent and youthful energy to the mix this year.
?Michelle returns as our top performer and I expect her to lead the team this season,? said Muhammad. ?We are also excited about our sophomore class. They have made a commitment to help UK gymnastics attain a new level of success this season and with collegiate experience they are on the right path to obtain their goal.?
Fans can still purchase UK gymnastics season tickets for just $10 online at ukathletics.com, in person at the athletics ticket office in Memorial Coliseum or by phone at 859-257-1818 or 1-800-927-CATS.
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