Junior Bethany Strauch is the latest UK ?Gymnast of the Week? as chosen by the coaching staff. Strauch?s performance on beam helped UK beat No. 10 Denver and No. 20 Auburn at the Master?s Classic in Lincoln, Neb. Going into the final rotation Kentucky was trailing Auburn 146.325-146.350. After one Cat fell on beam UK?s fate fell into the hands of Strauch. She was the last performer for Kentucky and competed like a champion, recording a 9.775 on beam to not only boost Kentucky past Auburn, but past Denver as well.

?The meet came down to the last performance and Bethany had to nail it or we would be beat,? said UK head coach Mo Muhammad. ?She anchored the team with a sound beam set. It was a great individual effort and we are extremely proud that she came through for the team.?

The Lawrenceville, Ga., native has been a solid competitor for the Cats all season on beam. Strauch recorded a season-high 9.8 vs. a very tough LSU team and came through with 9.775s vs. Bowling Green State and Nebraska.