Korth Earns All-America Honors at NCAA Championships as UK Wraps Up Season

ST. LOUIS – Kentucky freshman Mollie Korth and sophomore Alex Hyland represented the Wildcats at the NCAA Gymnastics National Championships as individual all-around competitors on Friday night in St. Louis. Korth was named first team All-America on bars and second team All-America in the all-around for her performance at the national championships. 

“Becoming a first team All-American on bars and second team in the all-around is a great end to an outstanding freshman season for Mollie,” head coach Tim Garrison said. “She has impressed throughout the year and brought solid performances again at this championship. We are looking forward to what the future holds for this talented young lady.”

The freshman earned first team honors after tying her career-high on bars with a score of 9.925. The career-best put her fourth in the session, landing her on the first team. The Cambridge, Wisconsin native finished seventh overall in the semifinal event, putting her on the podium. Korth was impressive on vault with a 9.8875, good for 10th in the late night session. Her other scores of 9.8375 on the floor and 9.800 on beam put her at an all-around total of 39.4500. The score sat her in sixth place, good for second team All-America honors. 

 

Hyland finished the day at No. 12 in the all-around standings with a score of 39.1875. Her best event was the on the floor, where she put up a 9.8625. She followed with a 9.8250 on beam, a 9.7625 on bars and a 9.7375 on the vault. 

“I’m very proud of Alex for qualifying to NCAA’s for the second-consecutive year and having a strong meet. She is now a seasoned veteran and knows what it takes to compete at the championship level. Not it’s time for that experience to benefit the team and I have challenged her with that responsibility. Knowing the caliber of athlete and person she is, I have no doubt she will take the responsibility seriously and help her team achieve at the highest levels.” 

Korth becomes the fifth postseason All-American in Kentucky history. She joins former NCAA champion Jenny Hansen, Robin Ewing, Arondo Primault and current Wildcat Sidney Dukes. Korth is just the third Wildcat to earn first team honors. The 9.925 on bars was the highest score for a UK gymnast all-time at the NCAA National Championships. 

Both Korth and Hyland were regular season All-Americans. 

“It feels great (to be All-America),” Korth said. “I’m going to have to go into the gym and work even harder and have a better season next year. I’m excited to improve.”

Korth had been pushing all year to improve and get to this point.

“Hard work in the gym (got me here),” Korth said. “My teammates have been pushing me all year. I’m so thankful for them and knowing they are supporting me means a lot.”

The 2017 NCAA Gymnastics National Championships marked the sixth time in Kentucky’s history that the team has sent two all-around competitors to the championships in the same season. UK also achieved this feat last season. Korth was the 15th different individual to qualify for the NCAA championships in program history, while Hyland qualified for the event last season as well. Korth led Kentucky with 19 event titles throughout the season. Hyland led on beam with 11 event titles, including the SEC beam title.

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