Arkansas Sends Seniors Out With Tri-Meet Wins

March 10, 2017

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas gymnastics team won individual titles in all five events, including the all-around, and finished with a team score of 196.150, defeating both San Jose State (193.875) and Centenary (188.225) in a tri-meet on Friday night in Barnhill Arena.

The Razorbacks (4-7) sent out its three seniors, Heather Elswick, Samantha Nelson and Amanda Wellick, with their third score of 196 or higher this season and their second-highest home score this season ahead of the start of postseason competition with the SEC Championship in Jacksonville next Saturday.

“This really solidifies our postseason bid,” head coach Mark Cook said. “I feel very confident that we’re going to make the postseason based on this score. And we gained some momentum with getting Sydney (McGlone) back in the lineup. We’re getting some strength back in our lineup.

“Hopefully, we’ll do well at SEC’s next week, improve our score and then have a strong showing at Regionals.”

Hailey Garner won her second uneven bars title and third individual title overall with a career-best 9.925 in the event. Her 9.925 was the highest score by an Arkansas gymnast in any event this season and 0.025 shy of matching the freshman record on balance beam.

The trio of Elswick, Leah MacMoyle and Braie Speed all tied for first place on vault with score of 9.825. Nelson and Michaela Burton tied for first place on balance beam with scores of 9.825.

Sydney McGlone, after missing the two previous meets due to injury, tied for first on floor exercise with a 9.900, setting a season best and matching her career best in the event.

Five of the six competing gymnasts scored a 9.800 or higher on balance beam for a team score of 49.050, led by Nelson and Burton with scores of 9.825 in the event.

Arkansas closed out the meet with a 49.100 on floor, highlighted by McGlone, who tied for first place in the event, and seniors Elswick and Nelson, who both scored a 9.850 in their final regular season floor routine in Barnhill. Jessica Yamzon won the all-around title with a 39.025.

Notable

With a team score of 196.150, Arkansas eclipsed the 196-mark for the third time this season. The 196.150 was also the second-highest home score this season.
Leah MacMoyle and Heather Elswick both set season bests with scores of 9.825 on vault. They were two of three Arkansas gymnasts to tie for first place in the event.
Hailey Garner scored a career-best 9.925 on uneven bars, the highest score by an Arkansas gymnast in any event this season, for her second uneven bars title. Her 9.925 on uneven bars was also .025 shy of matching the Arkansas freshman and Barnhill Arena records in the event.
Five of the six competing gymnasts scored a 9.800 or higher on balance beam for a team score of 49.050, led by Samantha Nelson and Michaela Burton with scores of 9.825 in the event.
After the missing the two previous meets due to injury, Sydney McGlone returned to the lineup on vault (9.775), balance beam (9.800) and floor exercise (9.900).
Arkansas honored fourth-year seniors Samantha Nelson and Amanda Wellick after the meet. Fifth-year senior Heather Elswick also competed in her final regular-season home meet.

Up Next

Arkansas will compete at the SEC Championship on March 18 in Jacksonville. Session one will begin at 1 p.m., and session two will follow at 5 p.m. Arkansas will also host an NCAA Regional on April 1 at 4 p.m. in Barnhill Arena.

Tickets for the NCAA Regional on April 1 are $10 for adults and $5 for youth and UA students.

Fans can purchase tickets online or by calling the Razorback Ticket Center at 800-982-HOGS or 479-575-5151.

For more information on Arkansas gymnastics, follow @RazorbackGym on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.