Gymbacks Keep Up Consistency, Place Third at Metroplex
The Arkansas gymnastics team yet again showed what it’s capable of as the Hogs posted a team score of 197+ for the third consecutive week in Saturday’s Metroplex Challenge from Fort Worth.
The No. 16 Gymbacks came in third behind No. 1 Oklahoma (198.125) and No. 11 Alabama (198.000) and defeated No. 24 Stanford (196.725) with a score of 197.125. It’s a new road high for Arkansas this season, and the team’s 20th mark over 197 in program history.
The Hogs have posted 197 or above in three consecutive weeks just once before, in head coach Jordyn Wieber’s second season in 2021. The team’s average in that span in was 197.258, while this year’s Gymbacks have posted an average score of 197.333 over the last three outings.
Two Gymbacks earned new career highs of 9.925 on the night, senior Maddie Hickey on floor and freshman Reese Drotar on bars. Drotar’s routine was part of a huge rotation for Arkansas, in which the Hogs earned a season-best 49.375. Graduate transfer Norah Flatley had a podium finish for Arkansas, as her 9.900 on beam placed her a five-way tie for second.
Floor
Arkansas’ began its night on the floor exercise, and the brightest spot of the rotation came at No. 2 in the lineup. Hickey shined and stuck both her first and second tumbling passes and scored a new personal best of 9.925 for the Hogs. Senior Bailey Lovett and sophomore Leah Smith both put up solid routines midway through the lineup for matching 9.875s and paced the Gymbacks. Sophomores Maddie Jones began and ended the rotation with scores of 9.775 and 9.750, respectively, for an event total of 49.200.
Vault
The Hogs headed over to vault and the lineup built as it went on. After a clean Yurchenko full from Flatley, the Gymbacks continued to sharpen landings as Smith and Price both rang up 9.875s. Arkansas’ two Yurchenko 1.5s, from sophomore Makie Sedlacek and Williams, were solid and scored 9.850 and 9.825. Arkansas finished the rotation with a mark of 49.225.
Bars
The bars squad immediately showed its stuff with a strong opening routine from freshman Cally Swaney. Bars veteran and staple Jensen Scalzo stepped up in the second spot with hit handstands, clean skills and stuck double layout dismount for a 9.900. Drotar followed with another beautiful routine, capped off with a stick, for her new personal best of 9.925. Arkansas remained laser focused as Jones also posted a 9.900, complete with a stick. Flatley anchored bars and with just small errors, finished the Hogs off strong with a 9.825 for a season-best 49.375 bars total.
Beam
The pressure was on as Arkansas took the the beam for its final rotation, but sophomore Kalyxta Gamiao remained cool as always as the lead-off. She had a slight balance check midway through the rotation, but kept the rest solid and stuck her dismount for a 9.875. Senior Kiara Gianafgna came next and proved her veteran status as she glided through her routine for a 9.825 at No. 2. Swaney continued the momentum for the Hogs with a 9.850 midway through and brought up sophomore Cami Weaver. She cruised through her triple acro series and took just a small step on the landing in a pristine set. The judges split scores of 9.800 and 9.950 for a 9.875 total. Flatley finished off the meet for the Hogs with a consistent and floaty beam set and earned a 9.900. Arkansas had a 49.325 on beam for the night.
Up Next
The Gymbacks continue a two-week road trip as the team heads to Lexington, Ky. for an SEC dual meet with the Wildcats on Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. The meet will be broadcast live on SEC Network.
More Information
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