LEXINGTON, Ky. ? The Kentucky gymnastics team broke multiple school records throughout the 2008 season and put several team and individual scores in the UK record books. The Wildcats broke two Regional Qualifying Score (RQS) records, had the team?s best final ranking since Head Coach Mo Mitchell came to UK, and had Kentucky?s longest winning streak of eight meets.
A team?s RQS is based on their six best regular-season-meet scores, three of which must be away meet scores. The highest score is eliminated and the remaining five scores are averaged. Final national rankings are based on RQS scores. UK broke the school?s overall RQS record with six totals exceeding 195.00. The Wildcats posted a 195.395 for an overall RQS tally, crushing last year?s total by .640. Kentucky also broke the floor exercise RQS record totaling 49.160, compared with 2007?s score of 49.125.
With record breaking totals, the Cats catapulted themselves into the top-20 rankings. Kentucky had an eight-meet win streak in March, which helped bring them from the No. 33 spot to No. 19. Previously the Cats had only carried a seven consecutive meet wins. The Wildcats finished the season at No. 20, the team?s best final ranking since Mitchell began his coaching career at UK in 2004. Kentucky also received a No. 11 ranking on floor, the team?s best finish in school history.
High totals were a result of multiple team and individual high scores. The Wildcats earned an impressive 39 titles during regular season meets and put 18 team and 19 individual marks in the school?s record books. Junior Heather Hite leads the Cats with 19 career titles. Sophomores Hillary Ferguson and Emily Green each led UK in season titles, each with 10.
Kentucky hit six meets with scores of 195.00 or better with the team?s best total of 195.975 in Shreveport, La. at Centenary College. Three all-around gymnasts scored a 39.00 or higher in the same meet four times, Arizona/Western Michigan, Ohio State, Bowling Green, and Centenary. Ferguson and Green each hit their career high all-around marks during Senior Night against Arizona and Western Michigan with 39.325 and 39.350, respectively. Freshman Andrea Mitchell and sophomore Emilie Rymer were also among the all-around gymnasts scoring 39?s or better throughout the season. Mitchell earned her career high at OSU with a 39.150, taking her first title. Rymer?s all-around performance at Centenary gave her a career high score of 39.300.
The 2009 season looks just as promising for the Kentucky team. UK will only be losing two seniors, Crissy Cannon and Kristen O?Shields, while also gaining incoming freshman. For complete coverage of Kentucky gymnastics, please visit www.ukathletics.com.
