Arkansas Wins Metroplex Challenge, Collects Another Top 10 Victory
The Gymbacks made their fifth appearance at the Metroplex Challenge on Friday and won the meet for the first time ever as Arkansas defeated Arizona, Oregon State and SEMO on the night with a team score of 196.400.
No. 19 Arizona came in second to the Gymbacks with a 196.125, and Oregon State came in third with a 196.025, cementing Arkansas’ third victory over a top 10 opponent this season. SEMO rounded out the team standings in fourth with a score of 192.350.
Freshman Joscelyn Roberson earned a 39.300 all-around score, which put her in second behind elite teammate Jade Carey. Roberson notched another two top three finishes as well: she tied for second on beam with a mark of 9.875 and tied for second on floor with a 9.900 score.
Senior Kalyxta Gamiao also had a solid night with top three finishes on both of her events. She matched Roberson’s 9.875 on beam to tie for second and earned a 9.875 on floor, placing her in third.
Vault
Cami Weaver got Arkansas off to a good start on vault with a 9.875 for her Yurchenko full. Freshman Ja’Leigh Lang followed with a stuck full and matched Weaver’s 9.875. Fellow rookie Grace Drexler did a Yurchenko 1.5 in the third spot and earned a 9.825, and Roberson got a 9.800 on her 10.0 start value vault next. After a fall up fifth, Price dialed up exactly what Arkansas needed and delivered a season-high 9.900 and a stick, which put Arkansas’ event total at 49.275 on vault.
Bars
Looking to drop an opening 9.725 on bars, the rotation kept getting stronger for Arkansas from there. Junior Cally Swaney got a 9.825 up second, which was matched by grad transfer Kaity Ewald midway through the lineup. Sophomore Priscilla Park got a 9.875 up fourth, and senior Maddie Jones delivered a big hit set complete with stuck dismount that went 9.900 in the fifth spot. Grad transfer Mati Waligora anchored with a 9.750 and Arkansas finished bars with a 49.175.
Beam
Arkansas ran into some trouble on beam in the third rotation with two scores below 9.250, but the lineup was highlighted by its lead-off, Gamiao, and anchor, Roberson. Both received scores of 9.875 for solid performances and stuck dismounts. Park added a 9.825 and Waligora added scores of 9.825 and 9.850, respectively, to round out the 48.650 rotation.
Floor
The Gymbacks had just a .075 lead on Arizona heading into the last event, but it also happened to be Arkansas’ best: floor. Gamiao began the rotation with a 9.875, setting the tone well for the Razorbacks. Klein notched a 8.850 up second, Jones a 9.825 in third and Waligora a 9.850 up fourth. Looking for a big score, Roberson did just that and earned a 9.900 with a great routine in the fifth spot. Price closed it out well with a 9.8225, and Arkansas’ total on floor was 49.300.
Up Next
Arkansas returns home for a showdown with No. 17 Alabama on Friday, Feb. 28 at Bud Walton Arena. It’s the team’s second annual Compete for a Cause meet and Alumni Night. The show starts at 6:15 p.m. and will also be broadcast live on SEC Network.
More Information
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