Gymbacks Set to Face No. 2 Tigers on Friday
The No. 17 Arkansas gymnastics team will have its toughest test yet this season as the No. 2 and reigning national champion LSU Tigers come to town for an SEC dual on Friday night.
It will be the Gymbacks’ third meet in one week as they’ve compiled a 2-1 record in competitions at No.12 Auburn and a home tri-meet with No. 16 Denver and Texas Woman’s. Arkansas has made big strides from its opening weekend with scores of 196.250 and 197.000 in the last two outings.
In Monday’s home opener, the team took a share of the event titles in three of four apparatuses and recorded season highs on vault (49.275) and floor (49.525).
Arkansas’ series with LSU is the second-longest of any opponent in the program’s history, and the Gymbacks have defeated the Tigers just three times dating back to 2003. It had been nearly 10 years since Arkansas took down LSU when it happened last, in Fayetteville on Jan. 27, 2023. At the time, the Gymbacks’ 197.475 was the program team score record. The Tigers are ranked in the top five on all events and are currently the best in the country on vault and floor.
Fans are encouraged to Pack the Bud Red on Friday and come wearing their cardinal attire. Arkansas has already surpassed its season ticket record for the fourth consecutive season, but season tickets as well as single meet tickets are still available for Friday online, in person, or by phone.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., team intros are set for 6:45, and first vault is at 7:00 at Bud Walton Arena. The meet will be streamed live on SEC Network+ and live stats will be provided via Virtius.
Numbers to Know:
LSU (Average and ranking | Top ind. average)
- VT: 49.383, 1st | Aleah Finnegan, 9.933
- UB: 49.333, 4th | Konnor McClain, 9.883
- BB: 49.317, 5th | Kailin Chio, 9.900
- FX: 49.467, 1st | Aleah Finnegan, 9.958
- AA: 197.500, 2nd | Aleah Finnegan, 39.617
Arkansas
- VT: 49.108, 11th | Dakota Essenpries, 9.842
- UB: 49.000, 19th | Kaitlyn Ewald, 9.817
- BB: 48.925, 20th | Joscelyn Roberson, 9.883
- FX: 49.342, 4th | Joscelyn Roberson, 9.908
- AA: 196.375, 14th | 21st
More Information
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