LEXINGTON, Ky. ? The No. 23 Kentucky Wildcats (4-7 overall, 1-5 SEC) travel to Denton, Texas for the first of two meets this weekend. Friday, March 14 Kentucky will compete in a quad meet hosted by Texas Woman?s University (8-9). The meet is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET in the Kitty Magee Arena.
Also participating in the quad meet are Utah State (4-11) and Centenary (2-6). UK last saw TWU in a quad meet in Arizona where the Cats earned third place (195.600) over a fourth place Texas Women?s (190.525). Kentucky competed with Utah State in 2005 and Centenary in 2003. All institutions are ranked in the top-50; TWU is positioned at No. 37, Utah State No. 45, and Centenary No. 50.
The Kentucky Wildcats are on a hot three meet winning streak and look to continue their success this weekend. Kentucky most recently brought in four season highs, as well as six event titles. Not only did they achieve an overall high score of 195.925, but they also earned new season highs on bars (48.700), beam (49.225), and floor (49.275). The Cats made a leap in the rankings as well, jumping 10 spots to No. 23. UK is ranked in the top-25 on three events, No. 23 on beam, No. 21 on vault, and No. 12 on floor.
This week Kentucky gymnast Hillary Ferguson earned SEC Gymnast of the Week. The sophomore earned three titles this weekend on bars, vault, and floor, and achieved a new career high all-around mark of 39.325. Sophomore Emily Green has continued to be on the SEC radar, being ranked at No. 18 on vault.
Kentucky?s school overall record of 196.375, was earned at Texas Women?s University, almost exactly six years from tomorrow?s meet. UK beat TWU on March 15, 2002 for a school record of 196.375, a score not far out of reach for the 2008 team. The Wildcats came close to breaking the record last year with a 196.200 at a 2007 quad meet at TWU (also competing were Southeast Missouri and Bowling Green State).
Kentucky will round out the weekend by heading to Shreveport, La. for a dual meet against Centenary. The meet is scheduled for Sunday, March 16 at 2 p.m. ET. For complete coverage of Kentucky gymnastics, please visit www.ukathletics.com.
