Kentucky Rolls Tide in Tuscaloosa for First Time in Program History
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – For the first time in program history, No. 3 Kentucky gymnastics (5-2, 3-1 SEC) defeated No. 6 Alabama (5-1-1, 0-2 SEC) at Coleman Coliseum, 197.600-196.975.
Fifth-year senior Raena Worley recorded her second consecutive 10.000 on the floor exercise following a long-awaited perfect score last week at Excite Night. The exceptional score was Worley’s first ever recorded on the road, adding a new career accomplishment to her already impressive list. The Christiansburg, Va. native went on to win her 24th career all-around title, as well as her 20th individual win on floor. She also recorded her 11th win on both bars and beam.
The Wildcats began Friday Night Heights on the uneven bars which was the lowest scoring event of UK’s four rotations (49.225). Worley was the event’s top score as she stuck her dismount for a solid 9.950. Both Jillian Procasky and Bailey Bunn earned 9.875 for their routines which were each completed with a stick as well. Freshman leadoff Delaynee Rodriguez was given a 9.775 while Annie Riegert (9.700) and Cecily Rizo (9.750) rounded out the opening rotation.
Next, Kentucky’s No. 1 nationally ranked vault team totaled 49.425 which tied the seventh-best program score on the apparatus. Vault superstar Makenzie Wilson earned her fifth individual win on the event with a 9.950. Arianna Patterson was UK’s second-best tally as she earned a 9.900 for her front entry front pike half that ended in a stick. Isabella Magnelli was awarded a 9.875 while two Wildcats, Worley and Rizo, received 9.850 from the judges. In the leadoff, Rodriguez earned a 9.775.
It was time to pump it up on the floor exercise where Kentucky was not taking its foot off the gas. The third rotation was the highest scoring for the Cats as they recorded a cumulative 49.525. The score tied the ninth-best on the apparatus in program history. Worley’s 10.000 anchored the event as she was preceded by Creslyn Brose and Hailey Davis’ 9.900s. Patterson was not far behind with her own 9.875 with Rodriguez and Procasky scoring 9.850.
The final rotation of the night was the balance beam where Kentucky tallied 49.425 to secure the victory. Worley was yet again the meet’s highest score on the event as she neared perfection with a 9.950. Magnelli proved why she consistently holds the anchor position on the apparatus as she earned a 9.925. Both Patterson and Rodriguez recorded 9.875 with Brose making her beam debut with a 9.850. Bunn earned a 9.150 due to a fall.
The Wildcats will be back in Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center next Friday for Rockstar Night as they host Missouri at 7 p.m. EST.
Season and single-meet tickets are on sale and can be purchased through UKAthletics.com. Groups interested in special discounted tickets for meets should email WeAreUK@uky.edu.
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