Arkansas Falls to LSU in Top 10 Road Showdown
Despite getting better with every event as the night went on, the Tigers proved to be too much for the Gymbacks on Friday night as No. 7 Arkansas fell to No. 5 LSU 198.475-196.200 in Baton Rouge.
The Tigers’ score was the highest by any team in the country this season and a new program high. Arkansas did score above 49 in three of four events and earned a season-high 49.450 on beam.
Freshman Priscilla Park was a highlight for the Hogs on the night as she made her second-ever all-around appearance for Arkansas and scored 39.425, good for third place. She capped the outing off with a stellar 9.975 on beam, good for a share of the event title and the best score on beam by an Arkansas freshman since 2018.
Bars
Cally Swaney kicked things off on bars for Arkansas and scored 9.725, and after an equipment delay, Jaime Pratt was calm and collected up second, stuck her double layout dismount, and earned a 9.850. Reese Drotar then went up third and went 9.775 for the Hogs. Following a fall, Park recovered well and got a 9.775 up fifth. A fall by closed the rotation for Arkansas and she scored 9.050, the first time the Hogs have counted a fall this season.
Vault
Cami Weaver started the vault lineup strong with a 9.800 for her Yurchenko full, and Park followed with a 9.825 in the two spot. Frankie Price had a lovely full in the fourth spot with just slight movement on the landing and earned a 9.875. Freshman Dakota Essenpries made her Arkansas debut with a solid Yurchenko 1.5 up fifth and scored 9.825, and Lauren Williams’ same vault got a 9.875 in the anchor position. The Gymbacks finished vault with a 49.200 score.
Floor
Hailey Klein got off to a great start for the Hogs on floor, but a step out of bounds on her second tumbling pass took a hit on her score and she earned a 9.600. Park came up second and delivered a solid routine with clean tumbling and earned a 9.850 for Arkansas. Maddie Jones kept the momentum going and had a big routine for Arkansas’ first 9.900 score of the night. Leah Smith scored 9.800 for Arkansas to begin the back half of the lineup, with Williams and Price left to go. Williams came through with her usual power and performance and went 9.925 for the Gymbacks, and Price followed with a huge routine for a 9.900 score, which brought Arkansas’ event total to 49.375.
Beam
Kalyxta Gamiao delivered another solid lead-off performance on beam for Arkansas with a 9.775, and Jones followed with a 9.850 to keep the fire going for the Hogs. Weaver was calm, cool, and collected for Arkansas up third and stuck her dismount to cap off a beautiful routine that scored 9.925, a new season high. Sirena Linton matched her score in the fifth spot, and 9.925 matched her personal high. Park was up last as the anchor and showed all the confidence of a veteran as she stayed cool through an eruption of noise as LSU received a perfect 10 in the PMAC. Park earned a 10 of her own from one judge and finished with a score of 9.975, the highest beam mark for a rookie at Arkansas since 2018. The Gymbacks ended the event with a 49.450, a new season high.
Up Next
Arkansas continues a long road streak with an away SEC dual at Florida on Friday, Feb. 9 in Gainesville. The meet will be broadcast live on ESPN and is set for 6:30 p.m. CT.
More Information
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