NOTES
This Weekend?s Meet
The No. 18 University of Kentucky gymnastics team (7-0, 1-0) hosts 2005 NCAA runner-up and No. 3-ranked Alabama, Fri., Feb. 3, at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum. The theme of the event will be for UK students to invite their favorite (or any) faculty and or staff member to the meet. Free UK Gymnastics Trading Cards will be available at the Gazebos on each concourse as well.
Rankings
The Wildcats check in at No. 18 in the recent GymInfo Poll. All seven schools in the SEC who sponsor gymnastics are represent in the rankings. Defending National Champion No. 1 Georgia, No. 3 Alabama, No. 5 Florida, No. 14 LSU, No. 17 Auburn, No. 18 Kentucky and No. 21 Arkansas all reside in the top 25.
Best Start Ever
The Cats are off to a perfect 7-0 start, marking the program?s best start in its 26-year existence.
Strenth of the Team
Often time considered the most difficult of the four events, the Cats have shown tremendous poise and consistency on the beam this season. UK is currently ranked seventh nationally in the event (48.556) and ranked ahead of Alabama (10th, 48.450).
UK Gymnast of the Week
Senior Lucy Burgin has been named UK Gymnast of the Week by the coaching staff. Burgin was an instrumental part of the Cats? sweep at last weekend?s quad meet at No. 24 North Carolina. The Birmingham, Ala. native posted a season-best 9.825 on bars en route to second place honors. She also tied a season-best on floor exercise and helped UK secure the victory with a team-high 9.725 on vault to close out the meet.
Scouting Alabama (9-0)
Regarded as one of the top gymnastic programs in the country, the University of Alabama is off to a perfect 9-0 start heading into Friday?s meet against the Wildcats. Alabama ranks in the top five nationally as a team on vault (second), floor (third) and bars (fourth). Individually, the Crimson Tide boast three gymnasts that rank in the top 10 nationally in different events; Ashley Miles (first-vault, ninth-floor), Erin Rightley (fourth-beam) and Terin Humphrey (ninth-bars). Humphrey won the 2005 NCAA title on bars. Last weekend, UA posted a season-best team score of 196.175 to defeat Auburn and keep alive a 27-year winning streak vs. the Tigers. Last season, Alabama finished runner-up to Georgia at the NCAA Championships.
Looking Ahead
The Cats travel to Baton, Rouge, La. to take on nationally-ranked LSU, Fri., Feb. 10, at 7 p.m.
