COLUMBUS, Ohio ? After hosting a tri-meet Friday night at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Ky., the Kentucky gymnastics team traveled to No. 26 Ohio State for a Sunday meet at St. John Arena in Columbus. The Wildcats took their third win of the week, beating the Buckeyes 195.275-193.400.
Kentucky gymnasts dominated the meet, walking away with four of five titles. The first title was earned on the uneven bars by sophomore Hillary Ferguson, sticking a career high 9.875. Ferguson tied for the title with OSU?s Kaylan Clevinger. The bars title was the first of Ferguson?s career.
The second title was taken by sophomore Emily Green on the vault, nailing a 9.875, her fifth career vault honor. Green had previously taken her fourth vault title during Friday?s meet against Arizona and Western Michigan, also with a 9.875. In second place on vault was freshman Andrea Mitchell who sprung a 9.825, matching her career high. Sophomore Emilie Rymer etched a new season high of 9.800, also on vault.
UK trailed Ohio State after the first two rotations, but after solid floor routines, the Cats took the lead. Ferguson took team top honors on floor with a 9.800, followed by Rymer and Mitchell with 9.775?s.
With a team score of 49.125 on beam, their best event of the evening, the Cat?s pulled away from the Buckeyes. Kentucky claimed the top spots for the event. Junior Heather Hite took the beam title with a personal and team season high of 9.925. Green owned second place with a career high 9.900 and Mitchell earned third place with 9.875, another career high.
The fourth title was earned by two Kentucky gymnasts. Rymer and Mitchell both earned 39.150?s in the all-around. The honor is Rymer?s seventh career title and second all-around title this season. Mitchell not only walked away with a new career high for the all-around, but brought in the first title of her career.
?The scores today were tight but consistent despite a rough start,? Head Coach Mo Mitchell said. ?The girls? determination got the win. They are really coming into their own and their confidence will be sure to have a big impact on the rest of our season.?
Kentucky will next compete on the road in Denton, Texas on Friday March 14. UK visits Texas Women?s University in quad-meet with Utah State and Centenary. The meet is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET. UK will round out the weekend with a second meet on Sunday March 16 in Shreveport, La. hosted by Centenary. Sunday?s meet is slated for 2 p.m. ET.
For more information on Kentucky gymnastics, visit www.ukathletics.com.
