Raena Worley Earns Perfect 10.0 in Win Over BYU
LEXINGTON, Ky. – No. 5 Kentucky gymnastics (7-2, 4-1 SEC) defeated No. 28 Brigham Young University (6-9, 1-2 Big 12) 197.775-196.600 on Friday evening in Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center.
Fifth-year senior Raena Worley earned her first career 10.000 on the uneven bars following two perfect scores this season on the floor exercise. In addition to her exciting mark, the Christiansburg, Va. native also earned her 26th all-around title and 22nd individual win on floor.
The Pajama Party theme brought the energy as nearly 5,000 members of Big Blue Nation braved the winter weather to cheer the Cats to victory. Competing in Olympic order, Kentucky kicked off the night on vault. Sixth-year senior Arianna Patterson was the top score of the night earning a big 9.925 for a stunning front entry front pike half completed with a stuck landing. Tallying the mark for the third time this season, Patterson earned her sixth career individual win on the apparatus.
Worley was UK’s second-highest score on vault earning a 9.900 while Isabella Magnelli was close behind with a 9.875. Makenzie Wilson recorded a 9.850 as the lineup was rounded out by freshmen duo Cecily Rizo (9.775) and Delaynee Rodriguez (9.725). In total, the No. 1 ranked vault team tallied a 49.325 to open the meet.
On the second rotation, the uneven bars, Kentucky tied its 10th best score of 49.450. Worley’s perfect 10.000 earned the 13th individual victory of her career on the apparatus. Her high mark boosted the event’s overall score that was dominated by 9.850’s earned by four of the six gymnasts in the lineup – Hailey Davis, Rizo, Annie Riegert and Bailey Bunn. For the second consecutive week, Rodriguez recorded a 9.900 in the five spot.
Tying the vault rotation with a 49.325 overall score was the third rotation of the evening – the balance beam. Senior Isabella Magnelli proved why she holds the anchor position as she kept it balanced for a 9.950. Although the top mark did not set a new career best for the Suffern, N.Y. native, it did set a new season high to earn her sixth individual win on the apparatus. Patterson was the second highest score on the event with a 9.900 earning a new season best of her own. Worley was the third best score for the Cats with a 9.875 while the rotation was completed with two 9.800’s from Rizo and Creslyn Brose plus a 9.675 from Rodriguez due to a slight bobble.
Ending the pajama party on the floor exercise, the Wildcats scored a cumulative 49.675 setting a new second-best on the event. Kentucky recorded a new program record (49.750) last week against Missouri to beat its previous best of 49.650 which was set in 2014 and tied at this season’s Excite Night.
Earning the top mark of the night on floor was Worley with a near-perfect 9.975 earning a 10.000 from Judge Two. Brose, who has been a standout on the event all season, earned a 9.950 for her energetic routine. Both Wilson and Magnelli executed near-perfect performances, each earning 9.925 with Davis earning her fifth 9.900 of her senior season. Also demonstrating consistency was leadoff Rodriguez who scored a 9.850 for the fifth consecutive meet.
Kentucky will return to the road next week as the program travels to Arkansas for Friday Night Heights.
Fans will have one last chance to catch the Cats in Rupp Arena this season as they host Florida for Senior Day on Sunday, March 3 at 2 p.m. EST. Tickets for the afternoon matinee are on sale and can be purchased through UKAthletics.com. Groups interested in special discounted tickets for meets should email WeAreUK@uky.edu.
For the latest on the Kentucky gymnastics team, follow @UKGymnastics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as on the web at UKAthletics.com.
