NOTES
This Weekend?s Meet
The No. 16 University of Kentucky gymnastics team (4-0) will travel to Chapel Hill, N.C. this Sunday at 1 p.m. to compete in a quad-meet against host No. 24 North Carolina, James Madison and Maryland. Live scoring for the event can be followed at .
Rankings
The Wildcats check in at No. 16 in the recent GymInfo Poll. All seven schools in the SEC who sponsor gymnastics are represented in the rankings. Defending National Champion No. 1 Georgia, No. 3 Alabama, No. 5 Florida, No. 11 LSU, No. 16 Kentucky, No. 17 Auburn and No. 22 Arkansas all reside in the top 25.
Long Time Coming
For the first time in third-year head coach Mo Muhammad?s tenure, the Cats produced an SEC dual meet victory, defeating No. 9 Auburn 194.975-192.800.
All-Arounder
Junior Krystle Cook has been a key cog in the Cats? early season success. The Austin, Texas native has two first place finishes and a second place finish in all-around competitions this season. Last week vs. Auburn, Cook took first on bars and floor. Nationally, Cook ranks 30th in all-around average.
UK Gymnast of the Week
Junior Rachel Riley was nominated UK Gymnast of the Week (1/20) by the coaching staff. The Dallas, Texas native scored 9.8 or better in all three events she participated in vs. No. 9 Auburn, including second place finishes on beam (9.825) and floor (9.8). Riley ranks 11th on vault and 13th on beam regionally.
Looking Ahead
The Cats return home next weekend and host No. 3 Alabama, Fri., Feb. 3, in Memorial Coliseum at 7:30 p.m. The meet will mark the second of three conference meets Kentucky will host in 2006.
Scouting North Carolina (6-0)
The Tar Heels are off to a perfect 6-0 start, including a first place finish at the six-team George Washington Invitational. Christine Robella is UNC?s top gymnast as evident by her three career conference Gymnast of Week honors. Robella ranks 17th nationally in all-around competition (39.025 avg.).
Scouting James Madison (0-2)
The Dukes are coming off a strong showing from last Saturday’s (Jan. 21) match against Rutgers. Junior Nicole Simmons finished in second place in floor exercises with a 9.575 while senior Lauren Caravello came in fourth place.
Scouting Maryland (1-2)
The Terps posted their highest team total of the season last week in a loss to Illinois (190.400). Maryland was also defeated by SEC power No. 1 Georgia earlier this season. Maryland is led by Rachel Martinez who ranks 33rd nationally in all-around average (38.925).
