LEXINGTON, Ky?Coming off a convincing win over Bowling Green State and a No. 10 national ranking, the University of Kentucky gymnastics squad opens Southeastern Conference play Friday evening when it faces Arkansas. Meet time is set for 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum. Tickets for the meet are $5 with $2 tickets available for seniors and children 18 and under, and live stats will be available on ukathletics.com.

The Wildcats (1-0) tallied the highest team score in a season opener with Saturday?s 194.850 ? 190.150 victory over Bowling Green State. In addition to claiming the top opening night team score, the Cats also recorded the third-highest beam score in school history. The Cats were led by freshman Kristen O?Shields who posted an event-high 9.850 on the beam. Senior Michelle Gales and sophomore Rachel Riley each posted 9.800 scores in the event.

Arkansas (1-0), in just its third year of intercollegiate competition, enters the meet after a dual-meet victory over Minnesota last weekend. Arkansas returns six juniors on this year’s team including all-SEC member Melissa Leigh on bars. Co-captain and top all-around performer for the LadyBacks, Dana McQuillin will be looked upon to lead the young team as well.

The LadyBacks lead the all-time series with the Wildcats 3-0-1 in four previous meetings. Arkansas is 1-1 all-time in SEC openers.

UK gymnastics season tickets are still available 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.

– UK –