Sophomore Brose Steals Spotlight at UK Gymnastics Senior Night
Friday night was Senior Night for the Kentucky gymnastics team. A talented group was honored after the meet, but the highlight of the evening actually came from a sophomore.
Creslyn Brose recorded her first career perfect 10 score on the floor, electrifying the crowd inside Historic Memorial Coliseum and stealing the spotlight in the process as Kentucky topped Arkansas in the home finale.
It was just the 11th perfect score in UK history on the floor, with legendary gymnasts Jenny Hanson (six times) and Raena Worley (four times) holding the other perfect distinctions. For Brose, it was a special performance.
“I definitely knew that was a good routine for me,” Brose said of her perfect floor routine. “I was really excited about the routine itself. No matter what the score was, I was going to be proud of it.”
Brose also enjoyed treating the fans to a perfect score, and she appreciated their reaction.
“It was incredible,” Brose said. “These fans are amazing. You can feel the love. I really think this is the best night ever.”
Brose does not compete in either of the first two rotations, but she does compete in the final two, beam and floor. How does she maintain her focus and composure while waiting to perform?
“Honestly the best think for me is to not overthink,” Brose said. “I try to go up there and just know that I can do it.”
UK head coach Tim Garrison was not surprised that Brose scored a perfect 10, but he was pleased.
“It’s been coming. She had several 9.975s last year. So, it’s been coming,” Garrison said. “I didn’t know if we were going to get one this year. She does perfection an awful lot in the gym. So the fact that she got it in competition. It’s not a surprise. We love it, but it’s not a surprise.”
It wasn’t just Brose that helped the Cats top the Hogs. The senior class that was honored also played big parts. Isabella Magnelli received one 10 on the beam, with a cumulative score of 9.975. And Hailey Davis received a 10 on the floor, with a cumulative score of 9.975 on the floor. Brose knows that this special senior class played a huge role in Friday’s win. Skylar Killough-Wilhelm won the all-around competition on Friday as well.
“It was incredible,” Brose said. “I’m so happy. But these seniors, they killed it tonight as well.”
The senior class was recognized and performed very well on Friday night. But it was the sophomore, Brose, who stole the spotlight in the victory.
