Gymbacks Open Season with Bulldogs at Barnhill

Arkansas gymnastics kicks off its 2024 slate with home gym advantage as the Razorbacks face off against the Georgia Bulldogs on Friday at Barnhill Arena.

Friday’s contest will be the first of the season for the Gymbacks, who are coming off another solid season in 2023, which ended with the team’s 19th straight regional appearance. Arkansas closed the year ranked 17th in the country, maintaining the program’s 18-season streak in the top 20.

The Hogs posted five scores above 197 for just the second time in program history in 2023, set new program team (197.475), vault (49.525), and beam (49.525) records, and also earned new program postseason highs in both appearances – a 196.825 at SEC Championships and 197.275 at regionals.

Arkansas is bolstered by star returners and All-SEC honorees Reese Drotar, Frankie Price, Cami Weaver and Frankie Price along with veteran talents such as Jensen Scalzo, Leah Smith and Maddie Jones.

The Gymbacks have four freshmen on this season’s roster, who are able to contribute across all four events: Chandler Buntin, Dakota Essenpries, Hailey Klein and Priscilla Park. Arkansas also added balance beam All-American Sirena Linton to the squad in the offseason, who spent the previous four years at Arizona.

Georgia got an early start to competition last week and hosted NC State at home on Jan. 6. The Bulldogs came away victorious with a 196.200 score. The meet will be the first look at SEC action for either team this season.

Friday’s action begins with team intros at 6:45 p.m. and first vault at 7 p.m. Doors will open at 5:30, and tickets are available online, by phone, or in-person via Razorback Ticket Center. It will be Alumni Night and Big Red’s Birthday at Barnhill Arena, with cupcakes, a birthday sing-along and giveaways for fans in attendance to commemorate Big Red’s 50th birthday.

For those following at home, the meet will be broadcast live on SEC Network+.

Scouting the Series: Georgia

• Friday’s competition will be the 49th meeting between the Razorbacks and Bulldogs, and Arkansas trails 10-37-1 in the all-time series against Georgia
• The Razorbacks have come out victorious against the Bulldogs in each of the last four face-offs, but Arkansas hasn’t defeated Georgia at home since the 2020 season
• The Dawgs began their 2024 slate last week with a dual meet against NC State in Athens. Georgia came away victorious with a final score of 196.200 to the Wolfpack’s 194.225

Numbers to Know:

Georgia (Avg score and ranking | Top ind. score)

• Vault: 48.975 (24th) | Katie Finnegan, 9.850
• Bars: 49.175 (T-16th) | Lily Smith, 9.975
• Beam: 49.100 (T-7th) | Anya Turner, 9.875
• Floor: 48.950 (T-21st) | Lily Smith/Ady Wahl, 9.825
• AA: 196.200 (15th) | Ady Wahl, 39.175

Arkansas (2023)

• VT: 49.310 (15th) | Makie Sedlacek/Leah Smith, 9.950
• UB: 49.340 (17th) | Reese Drotar/Maddie Jones, 9.950
• BB: 49.255 (T-19th) | Cami Weaver, 9.950
• FX: 49.385 (T-17th) | Frankie Price, 9.975
• AA: 197.080 (17th) | N/A

More Information

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