Kentucky Completes Successful Blue/White Meet
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky
gymnastics team gave fans a preview of the upcoming 2017 campaign with its
annual intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Coliseum.
“It feels good to be back in the
competition venue,” head coach Tim Garrison said. “It’s something we look
forward to. We get to practice one time in Memorial before it’s for real and
it’s an important part of preparation. Getting in front of the crowd and
getting back on this equipment, there are a lot of positives to it.”
The meet served as a dress
rehearsal for Kentucky, with 12 Wildcats competing in the meet. Five from UK –
freshman Alaina Kwan, sophomore Sidney Dukes, sophomore Katie Stuart, sophomore
Alex Hyland and freshman Hailey Poland – participated in all four events.
“You gage everything on where you
are relative to your potential and I think we’re short of our potential,”
Garrison added. “Our goal is to become elite. I think we have the potential to
be exactly that. We have a little more time to prepare and get ready for our
season that starts on Jan. 6.”
There was a great energy in the
building during the meet, as the team showed off their new routines in every
event.
Following the meet, the Wildcats
shared their thoughts on the tune-up meet.
Sophomore Alex Hyland
On how the team did at the Blue/White Meet…
“I think we did really well as a team. We made a lot of
improvements and we’re just excited to get the season started. I think I did
really well overall. I could have done better in different areas but I think
it’s a good start.”
On what she needs to work on…
“Obviously just the little things. I think as a whole we did
well but handstands and landings we could always get better at. That’s
something we could work towards.”
Sophomore Sidney Dukes
On how the team performed…
“I think the team as a whole did really well. We still have a
few things to perfect. I think the team and I need to work on the little things
in the gym. Really staying focused on hitting handstands and making mini
mistakes that we need to correct.”
On competing in Memorial…
“The energy in here and being with our home crowd was
amazing. It was really great to see friends and family here and it gets us
amped up for Excite Night because the whole stadium will be filled and that’s one
of our favorite things this season.”
Katie Stuart
On competing in the Blue/White Meet…
“I think I did okay (in the Blue/White Meet). It was a good
start to the season. The team and I have a lot of progressing to do before the
first meet but I thought it was fun to get back here and start off the season.”
On Competing in Memorial…
“It’s great experience. I love being in the big arena with
the big crowd. It’s just fun being back here.”
On what she needs to work on…
“Just more consistency and teambuilding. We’re on a great
path but we need to just continue growing.”
