Mollie Korth Wins All-Around Title as Kentucky Falls to Florida, 196.325-195.950
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 5 Kentucky (4-1, 1-1 SEC) gymnastics team fell to No. 5 Florida, 196.325 – 195.950, inside Memorial Coliseum on Friday night. Sophomore Mollie Korth won the all-around with a score of 39.5, which was her second all-around title of the season.
“I was very encouraged by what I saw tonight and it’s unfortunate it’s going to be overshadowed by a couple of mistakes that we made,” head coach Tim Garrison said. “I thought overall we had a good showing. Obviously you never want your team to struggle. When they do, how they respond is absolutely critical and they responded very well to it tonight.”
Kentucky started with an early lead after posting a 49.100 on the vault while Florida put up a 48.950 on the bars. Korth won the event title with a 9.925, tying Rachel Slocum of UF. Junior Alex Hyland was the second best Wildcat with a 9.825, and junior Aubree Rosa also scored a 9.825. Juniors Danaea Davis and Sidney Dukes also registered scores for UK with 9.775 and 9.75s, respectively. Florida ended with a 49.375 on the vault.
Korth was the highest-scoring Wildcat for UK on bars with a 9.8. Senior Katie Carlisle went 9.750, while freshman Ella Warren had a 9.725. Junior Katrina Coca put up a 9.7, while senior Cori Rechenmacher scored for the Cats with a 9.175. UK posted a 48.150, while UF had a 48.950.
The Wildcats bounced back in a big way on the beam. UK won the event, 49.350 – 48.725. The 49.350 on the beam tied the fourth-best team score in program history. Kentucky also posted a 49.350 last week at Arkansas. Dukes and Hyland shared the beam crown after back-to-back 9.9s. Rachel Gowey from UF also spilt the title. Mollie Korth scored a 9.875, while sophomore Hailey Poland went 9.85. Sophomore Alaina Kwan had a 9.825.
UK kept the momentum going on floor and posted another 49.350. Dukes won her second event title after tying a career high of 9.925. Korth followed with a 9.9, while Hyland had a 9.875. Warren set a career high with a 9.85. Poland also scored for the Cats with a 9.8.
Korth was the Wildcats only all-arounder and won the event with a 39.500. Alicia Boren of Florida finished in second with a 39.275.
“I’ve been consistent in the gym and my teammates have helped me push forward,” Korth said. “I’m thankful to them and the coaches.”
For complete news and updates on the Kentucky Gymnastics program, go to UKathletics.com. Season tickets can be found on UKathletics.com/Tickets. News and updates on the team can also be found on Twitter at @UKGymnastics and at @UKCoachGarrison and Facebook at Facebook.com/UKGymnastics.
