March 15, 2009
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Friday’s team high’s weren’t enough for the Wildcats as they met with the Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves for the second time in three days. Kentucky defeated UAA again, 195.850-193.000 during Sunday’s meet in the Wells Fargo Sports Complex. In total, the Cats walked away with nine of 10 titles this weekend amongst the team’s two victories.
Junior Emily Green led the Blue and White as she nailed an almost perfect 9.950, also a career best mark, on vault. The score was the first on the event since 2003 when Aronda Primault did the same. It was also the first time a member of the UK squad saw a 9.950 since current Wildcat senior Heather Hite earned the score on beam and floor her sophomore year in 2007.
Green’s anchoring score helped Kentucky tie its season-high total on vault with a 49.225. In addition, two marks of 9.875 were earned by freshman Whitney Rose and sophomore Jasmine Minion. Minion has yet to dip below a 9.800 on the event, averaging a 9.842. Tying her career-high mark was sophomore Phylicia Reshard with a 9.775 who started the vault line-up.
Kentucky started on the uneven bars in traditional away meet fashion. Senior Natalie Rubinstein took her fifth career and second consecutive title on the event. The Hollywood, Fla., native finally eclipsed the 9.875 plateau with a career high-tying 9.900. She had earned a 9.875 the night before. Junior Hillary Ferguson tied her season high with a 9.850 followed by an identical mark from junior Jamie Reimann, tying her career best.
After Friday’s record balance beam night, the Cats had big shoes to fill. They came close with a 49.100, the second highest total this season. Hite hit big for Kentucky, anchoring the team with a 9.900 and the event title for the second time this weekend and 27th career title. More season-highs were earned by Green and junior Emilie Rymer. Each gymnast notched a 9.825, tying for second overall.
Typically the strongest suit for Kentucky, the floor exercise lacked despite solid marks. Minion earned her second career title with a 9.875 on the event. Hite took second with a 9.800.
The only title which escaped the Wildcats all weekend was the all-around title. Seawolf Leah Wilson totaled a 38.975, just a hair above Ferguson’s 38.950. Rose, who took the top honor Friday night, counted a fall on the uneven bars for an all-around score of 38.625.
Kentucky returns home for a quick turnaround to the SEC Gymnastics Championship meet in Nashville, Tenn., hosted at the Sommet Center Saturday, March 21. Competition is set to begin at 5 p.m. ET.
