CORVALLIS, Ore. ? Junior Krystle Cook represented the University of Kentucky gymnastic team by competing on vault at the 2006 NCAA National Championships Thursday afternoon in Gill Coliseum on the campus of Oregon State University.

The third-year standout finished session I in a respectable 21st-place (9.7). Cook was the lone Wildcat at the championships, earning a berth by way of the NCAA Central Regional vault title (9.9). Cook was the first UK gymnast since Aronda Primault in 2002 reach the championship meet.

Cook, a native of Austin, Texas, was Kentucky?s top performer on vault and uneven bars throughout the team?s record-breaking 16-win campaign. She owned the highest regional qualifying averages for UK on vault, floor, uneven bars and all-around (second on beam). Cook also posted or tied career-highs on vault (9.925), beam (9.875), bars (9.925) and all-around (39.525, sixth all-time UK).

Despite an end to a tremendous season, Cook and the core of the 2006 squad will return intact for next season. Every Wildcat who competed is expect back to a squad that broke the school record for wins (16) and was ranked in the top 20 for the entire season.