Feb. 11, 2009
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky gymnastics team (1-4 overall, 0-4 Southeastern Conference) will host two teams Friday, Feb. 13 in Memorial Coliseum, the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs (6-0, 3-0 SEC) and the Centenary Ladies (3-2, 0-0 Summit). The event is set to begin at 7 p.m. ET.
Friday is UK Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night including FREE admission for all UK faculty and staff. Sign up to win FREE lunch for you and seven staff members at Sal’s Restaurant (winner must be present at the meet). If interested, email lbbray2@email.uky.edu to enter. It is also Kids’ Day and FREE jelly yo-yos will be given to the first 250 kids with many other prizes for kids throughout the night.
Last time out, the Wildcats faced the No. 7 Arkansas Razorbacks in Lexington. The Cats fell to the Backs despite a phenomenal comeback on the floor exercise, an event which the Blue and White are ranked top-20. On the floor exercise, Kentucky topped Arkansas, 49.175-48.975. Senior Heather Hite posted a season-high 9.925 on the floor and received her 10th event title of her career.
The Cats also continued to shine on the vault. UK is now ranked No. 10 on the event, after outscoring the Razorbacks, 49.125-48.950. Sophomore Jasmine Minion led the Wildcats on the event with a 9.875. Junior Hillary Ferguson, Kentucky’s only all-around performer of the night scored a 39.025 overall. Her 9.850 on the floor improved her to No. 20 on the event overall.
The Dawgs come to Lexington after defeating No. 6 Auburn, 197.250-195.925. Georgia senior Courtney Kupets is the top-ranked all-around gymnast in the nation. Against Auburn, Kupets earned a 39.625 and won her sixth all-around title of the season. She also ranks No. 1 on the uneven bars and balance beam. Georgia leads the all-time series, never dropping a match to the Wildcats.
Coming off of a 192.800-189.550 victory over Air Force, Centenary faces Kentucky for the sixth time. Junior Courtney Hawkins took the meet’s all-around title with a 38.925. Hawkins also earned the floor title, posting a 9.800. Stephanie Wright was the top finisher on the vault with a 9.850. The Wildcats dominate the series against the Ladies, owning a 5-0 record.
The Wildcats have a 9-0 winning streak against non-conference teams in the regular season dating back to March 7, 2008 when the Blue and White knocked off Arizona and Western Michigan during Senior Night.
