LEXINGTON, Ky. ? The Kentucky gymnastics squad, coming off three consecutive NCAA Central Regional appearances, is ranked No. 24 nationally in the 2008 GymInfo Preseason Coaches Poll.
The Wildcats, under the direction of fifth-year head coach Mo Mitchell, finished 23rd in last season?s final rankings and spent the majority of the year among the nation?s top 25. In 2007, Kentucky went over the 194.000 mark eight times during the course of the season. UK ranked 14th nationally on the floor and 20th on vault.
Three-time defending national champion Georgia received 28 of the 35 first-place votes in this year?s preseason poll. Nine of Kentucky?s 2008 opponents are ranked in the preseason top 25, including five teams among the nation?s top 10.
Kentucky opens its 2008 regular-season slate on Saturday, Jan. 12, when it hosts Auburn for Excite Night. Meet time is slated for 5:45 p.m. EST in Memorial Coliseum with live statistics available at ukathletics.com. The meet also will be televised on a tape-delay basis by Fox Sports Net South.
Season tickets (reserved seats) are available for just $10 each by stopping by the UK Ticket Office in the Joe Craft Center, or by calling toll-free at (800) 928-2287. Kentucky ranked sixth in the nation in attendance last season with an average of 2,819 fans per home meet, after finishing 21st the year before.
Fans can also purchase admission to all gymnastics meets by buying the Olympic Sports Pass. One pass gains admission to all Olympic sporting events – Baseball, Softball, Gymnastics, Men’s Soccer, Women’s Soccer, and Volleyball. Individual passes are $25, family passes (2 adults, up to 3 youth) are $40.
Single-meet tickets are available beginning in December and on meet day at the Joe Craft Center Ticket Office.
2008 GymInfo Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Georgia (28)
2. Florida (1)
3. Utah (3)
4. UCLA
5. Stanford (2)
6. Alabama
7. Nebraska
8. Oklahoma
9. Michigan (1)
10. LSU
11. Oregon State
12. Arizona
13. Penn State
14. Arkansas
15. Denver
16. Missouri
17. Iowa State
18. Arizona State
19. Auburn
20. Ohio State
21. Michigan State
22. West Virginia
23. Illinois
24. Kentucky
25. N.C. State
BOLD denotes 2008 Kentucky opponents.
