Gymbacks Host No. 1 Florida on Rep the Red Night
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas gymnastics team continues to grow stronger in the gym and looks to showcase their progress inside Barnhill Arena this Friday, when the Gymbacks host the No. 1 Florida Gators. Friday’s “Rep the Red” meet will be broadcast on the SEC Network+ and is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m. CT.
Arkansas saw improvements across the board on Friday night in the Gymbacks’ home opener in Barnhill Arena, but fell to the LSU Tigers 197.275 – 196.625. In addition to O’Hara’s two all-star routines, the Gymbacks beam team rallied for a 49.325 in the event, the eighth highest in program history. Transfer Abby Johnston was in the lead off spot for the final rotation and hit a career-high 9.875 for the Gymbacks, the Hogs would close out with an impressive 49.500 on the floor.
Redshirt-senior Sarah Shaffer set a career-high in the all-around, finishing with a solid 39.525 on the night. Shaffer was this week’s guest on Real Talk with the Razorbacks, you can hear her recap last week’s meet and talk about Florida’s visit to Barnhill here: Real Talk with the Razorbacks.
In the Polls
The Gymbacks hold steady in the Top 10 of the national polls, coming in at no. 8 as ranked by Road to Nationals. Arkansas dropped considerably on the bars after having to score a fall last week vs LSU, but remain among the top team in the nation on the balance beam (no. 5) and floor (no. 8). Individual Gymbacks are also soaring to the top of the rankings in individual events, as Sophia Carter ranks 8th on the floor while her floor-mate Kennedy Hambrick comes in at 10th, Amanda Elswick ranks 7th on the vault and Maggie O’Hara is second in the nation on the uneven bars.
O’Hara Earns SEC Co-Specialist of the Week
Graduate Gymback Maggie O’Hara garnered the first weekly award for the Gymbacks on January 19th, announced as the SEC Co-Specialist of the Week. It marks just the fifth time ever that a Razorback was selected for the honor. O’Hara earned her first beam title and second bars title of the season in Friday’s home-opener vs LSU, scoring career-highs on both events, a 9.950 on the bars and a 9.925 on the beam. Her 9.950 on the bars also ties the highest score by an Razorback senior in program history, now sharing the title with Braie Speed (2018) and Jaime Pisani (2012).
Ticket Sales Closed For 2021 Gymnastics Season
Per Arkansas Department of Health guidelines, Barnhill Arena will feature reduced capacity based upon current state Phase II social distancing standards. As of present, due to an overwhelming turn out from our dedicated season ticket holders, we have reached the allowed capacity via ticket sales. Based upon that fact, tickets will not be available on a single-meet basis
For fans coming to the meet, please make sure to read our “Before You Go” guide to be sure that you are up to date on all our new protocols and precautions, put in place to keep our fans, coaches, student-athletes and staff safe this season!
Visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com for the latest information on all things Arkansas Gymnastics. You can also find the Hogs on social media by liking us on Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Gymnastics) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@RazorbackGym).
