Aug. 20, 2014

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky gymnastics team finished 22nd in team grade point average among NCAA women’s gymnastics teams and nine Wildcats were named Scholastic All-Americans, the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches announced.

UK placed 22nd overall with a 3.44 GPA in 2013-14, one of three schools from the Southeastern Conference in the top 25. Nine UK gymnasts earned Scholastic All-America honors, with a GPA of 3.50 or higher, led by freshman Kirsten Canini’s 4.00.

Fellow freshmen Alyssa Bertoni and Taylor Puryear, sophomore Montana Whittle, juniors Kayla Hartley and Sara Shipley and seniors Holly Cunningham, Audrey Harrison and Kayla Sienkowski also were recognized as Scholastic All-Americans.

“I’m proud of the team’s efforts and hard work in the classroom this year. They are committed to excelling both in and out of the gym, and this is a great example of that. With the 2014-15 year about to begin, I know they will take this momentum into the new year as we continue to improve in the gym and work hard in the classroom.”

The Wildcats are coming off a record-breaking 2014 season, highlighted by a program record NCAA Regional score and a return to the NCAA Championships. As UK posted its school-record 195.925 at regionals, senior Audrey Harrison won the beam title and became the first UK gymnast to advance to the NCAA Championships since 2010. Kentucky also notched a school-best 49.650 on floor in an upset win over No. 11 Auburn in the regular season.

For complete news and updates on the Kentucky Gymnastics program, go to UKathletics.com. Breaking news, behind-the-scenes updates, photos and more can be found on Twitter at @UKGymnastics and Facebook at Facebook.com/UKGymnastics.