Gymbacks Fall to Minnesota in Season Opener
While the Gymbacks weren’t able to pull out a victory over Minnesota on Saturday, they did open the season with a strong 196.700 team score, the second-highest for a first meet in program history.
The day was highlighted by Arkansas’ three all-arounders: freshman Allison Cucci, Hailey Klein and Morgan Price. It was the first time since the 2020 season that three all-arounders competed for Arkansas in the same meet, and first time ever that three Gymbacks made their Arkansas all-around debut in the same day.
Cucci claimed the all-around crown with a score of 39.350, with no scores under 9.800. Her best mark of the day came on vault with a 9.900, which also secured her a share of the vault title, split with teammate Lauren Williams.
Arkansas also claimed at least a share of first on every other event: Leah Smith on bars (9.875), Joscelyn Roberson on beam (9.950) and Price on floor (9.875).
Bars
Arkansas opened the meet with a pair of 9.775 routines from Joscelyn Roberson and Hailey Klein. Leah Smith went up third and stuck her double layout dismount to cap off a 9.875 routine midway through the lineup. Cally Swaney was up fourth for Arkansas and scored 9.775. Freshman Allison Cucci capped her collegiate debut routine with a stick for a 9.825, which proved to be contagious as Morgan Price anchored with a 9.850 with stuck dismount. The Gymbacks finished with a 49.100 event score on bars.
Vault
Ja’Leigh Lang stuck her Yurchenko full in the lead-off spot for Arkansas on vault and scored a 9.800. Smith then followed with a 9.775. In the three spot, Cucci continued her hot start to the day and stuck her Yurchenko 1.5 for a 9.900. After a 9.725 from Klein, Williams answered with another stuck 1.5 for Arkansas that went 9.900. Price concluded the rotation with a strong 1.5 for a 9.875, which brought the Gymbacks’ vault total to 49.250.
Floor
Hailey Klein kicked off floor with a 9.825, and Cami Weaver followed in the two spot with a 9.800 in her Arkansas floor debut. Smith earned a 9.850 to keep Arkansas on pace midway through the lineup. Price kept pushing for the Gymbacks and got a 9.875 up fourth. Cucci posted a 9.800 in the five spot, bringing up Roberson to anchor. She went 9.825, which made Arkansas’ floor score to 49.175.
Beam
Madison Gustitus led off beam and got a 9.800 in her Razorback debut. Klein and Cucci finished out their all-around days with 9.750 and 9.8525 next, respectively. Weaver began the back half of the lineup with a 9.850, complete with stuck landing. Price went fifth and scored 9.450. Roberson did her thing on beam as usual, with a fantastic routine punctuated with a stick. She earned a 9.950 to match her career high, which took Arkansas to 49.175 on beam.
Up Next
The Gymbacks open SEC competition next weekend at home against Auburn. Action is set for Sunday, Jan. 18 at 4:45 p.m. from Bud Walton Arena. The meet will also be broadcast live on SEC Network.
More Information
Visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com for the latest information on all things Arkansas Gymnastics. You can also find the Razorbacks on social media by liking us on Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Gymnastics) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@RazorbackGym).
