NOTES
This Weekend’s Meet
The Cats (7-3, 1-3) travel to Fayetteville, Ark. for an SEC showdown vs. No. 19 Arkansas (4-9, 0-4), Fri., Feb. 24, at 6 p.m. CT. The meet has been designated SEC Meet of the Week and will be televised on a taped-delayed basis by FOX Sports South and shown March 4, at 6 p.m. ET. Live stats for the event will be available on ukathletics.com.
Rankings
The Wildcats check in at No. 18 in the recent GymInfo Poll (2/17). All seven schools in the SEC who sponsor gymnastics are represent in the rankings. Defending National Champion No. 1 Georgia, No. 2 Florida, No. 4 Alabama, No. 11 LSU, No. 13 Auburn, No. 18 Kentucky and No. 19 Arkansas all reside in the top 25.
History
Kentucky will be in search of its first-ever victory over Arkansas this weekend. The all-time series stands at 5-0-1. Last season, Arkansas defeated UK in Lexington, 194.925-193.575. UA began its program in 2003.
National Rankings
Three UK gymnasts are currently ranked among the top 50 nationally in various events — Krystle Cook (14th all-around, 14th bars, t-43rd vault), Heather Hite (10th beam) and Lucy Burgin (t-49th bars).
Regional Rankings
Regionally (Central) UK ranks fourth behind national powers Alabama, LSU and Auburn. Individually, Cook ranks among the top ten in three events (second bars, eighth vault and 10th floor) and third in all-around competition. Hite ranks second on beam.
Season-Bests
Despite the loss to Florida last weekend, UK posted multiple team season-bests. The Cats notched scores of 49.050 on bars, 49.225 on floor and a 195.550 team score.
UK Gymnast of the Week
Heather Hite was named UK Gymnast of the Week by the coaching staff. The freshman from Parkersburg, W. Va. took home second place honors on floor and third on beam at last Friday?s meet vs. No. 5 Florida. Hite?s 9.9 on floor marked a new career-high and the third 9.9 or better of her career. For the season, Hite ranks 10th nationally on beam.
Scouting Arkansas (4-9, 0-4)
The Gym?Backs are in search of their first SEC dual meet victory of the season. Last week, Arkansas was defeated by No. 4 Alabama, 195.825-194.174, in Tuscaloosa. As a team, UA ranks 17th on vault and 23rd on beam and bars, nationally. Individually, Samantha Cortez and Cassie Drew rank t-47th on bars, while Emily Peacock checks in at t-34th on bars. Last season, Arkansas defeated UK in Lexington, 194.925-193.575.
Looking Ahead
The Cats travel to Athens, Ga. to take on No. 1-ranked Georgia, March 3, at 7 p.m.
