Jan. 30, 2009
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Kentucky gymnastics team (1-3 overall, 0-3 Southeastern Conference) fell to the No. 5 Florida Gators (3-1, 2-1 SEC) in the third annual Gators Link to Pink meet Saturday night in Gainesville, 195.925-193.850.
The Wildcats began the night on the uneven bars. Sophomore Andrea Mitchell started the event for the Cats with a 9.725 while senior Natalie Rubinstein anchored the line-up and led the team for the fourth consecutive time with 9.825. Florida’s Melanie Sinclair took the title after scoring a perfect 10.0, the third of her career.
In the second rotation, UK took to the vault, scoring a 48.925. Junior Emily Green topped the Kentucky line-up with a 9.825. The Penfield, N.Y., native is ranked 20th in the country on vault. Sophomore Colleen Williams stuck a career high-tying 9.775 as two 9.800’s were scored by Hillary Ferguson and Jasmine Minion. After the uneven bars and balance beam, the Wildcats were barely one point behind the Gators.
Kentucky began the third leg on the floor exercise, an event the Cats are ranked top-20 in. A few missteps hit the Blue and White as three gymnasts stepped outside of the perimeter. Ferguson took team top-honors with a 9.825 and is nationally ranked 17th on the event. The Richmond, Ky., native tied for third with the Gators’ Elizabeth Mahlich. Florida hit bumps in the third rotation as well with two falls on the balance beam.
An event which has continually been a rough spot for Kentucky, the Wildcats finished the night on the balance beam. Senior Bridget Carreiro made her season debut on the beam for UK with a 9.700. Minion also earned a 9.700 on the event. Hite and Ferguson each topped the team’s scores with 9.750’s, tying for second place overall.
Ferguson was Kentucky’s lone all-around performer and totaled a 39.075. UF’s Sinclair took the all-around title with a 39.450, tying her season-best.
The meet between the Wildcats and Gators will be re-aired on Sat., Feb. 7 at 9:30 p.m. ET on FSN.
Kentucky returns home to host its own “Pink Meet” next Friday on Feb. 6 against Arkansas at 7 p.m. ET in Memorial Coliseum.
