Arkansas Gets Season High 197.425 in Loss to Alabama
Despite taking a loss in the standings, the No. 16 Gymbacks made huge strides in Friday’s meet against No. 17 Alabama at Bud Walton Arena as they recorded a season high 197.425 score to the Crimson Tide’s 197.650.
Freshman Joscelyn Roberson had a standout meet as she posted 9.925+ scores on both beam and floor, which earned her titles on the events. Her 9.975 on floor matched the program record and the freshman individual record on the event.
Her mark helped pushed the Gymbacks to a new season high of 49.650 on floor, which is the third highest on the event in program history.
Arkansas also collected five more top three finishes on each event. Freshman Ja’Leigh Lang and sophomore Hailey Klein tied for second on vault (9.900), senior Maddie Jones tied for third on bars (9.925) and floor (9.950) and Kalyxta Gamiao tied for second on beam (9.900).
A total of 8,578 fans were in attendance, the fifth-highest tally in program history.
Vault
Cami Weaver started the Gymbacks out with a 9.800 for her Yurchenko full. Lang stepped up at second and stuck her full cold, matching her career best of 9.900. Following a fall in the third spot, Dakota Essenpries scored a 9.775 for her Yurchenko 1.5. Klein got her season high of 9.900 on vault with a 1.5 up next, and Frankie Price anchored with a 9.825 for an event score of 49.200.
Bars
Roberson started the rotation with a 9.750 on bars, and Cally Swaney followed with 9.725. Grad transfer Kaity Ewald then got a season high 9.875 midway through the lineup with a stuck dismount. Priscilla Park got a 9.775 up fourth. Jones came up in the fifth spot with a 9.925, her third 9.925 on the event in the last four meets. Waligora closed the rotation with a 9.875 and the team matched its 49.200 on vault with another on bars.
Beam
Gamiao opened beam with her standard consistency and clean skills and scored a lead-off 9.900 with a stuck dismount. Waligora got a 9.875 next and Park added a 9.800 in third. Swaney went 9.825 up fifth and Weaver kept the momentum up with a 9.850. Roberson anchored beautifully yet again with just a small step on the landing that earned her a 9.925. Arkansas’ total on beam was 49.375.
Floor
Arkansas’ signature event was the best it’s been all season on Friday night as the Gymbacks didn’t count a score lower than a 9.900 for a 49.600 season high. After a 9.850 from Gamiao, Klein went 9.900 in the two spot with a solid routine. Jones brought the perfect mix of power and polish next and hit a season high 9.950 to pace the lineup. Waligora then added a 9.925 to keep the energy going. Roberson delivered a near flawless performance next, earning a 10 from one judge, for the big 9.975 mark. Price put a bow on the rotation and the night with a 9.900.
Up Next
Arkansas hits the road for an SEC dual at No. 10 Kentucky on Friday, March 7. The meet is set for 6 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on SEC Network+.
More Information
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