Gym'Backs ranked 11th 5th this week on beam

Jump to poll FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas gymnastics team vaulted to No. 11 in the nation after a solid road performance at No. 19 Washington last weekend, and the Gym’Backs jumped to fifth in the country on beam according to the GymInfo national collegiate rankings. Arkansas split at the Washington tri-meet by defeating the No. 19 Huskies and finishing just behind No. 21 Oregon State. The team’s 195.550 was good enough to move up in the polls to near program highs. "It feels great," said co-head coach Mark Cook of the team’s ranking. "We were 17th at this point last year and it’s very promising to see that we’re going up in the ranking. This is the first time in the history of the program that we’ve moved up consistently as the season progresses. It’s very promising to us and we want to continue to gain momentum. We want to stay focused and maintain that position and maybe even move up a little more. I’m very pleased and enjoying the season very much." The Gym’Backs jumped one spot to No. 11 just two spots shy of the program-best No. 9 ranking they reached last year. The difference, however, was that last year’s No. 9 ranking came the first week of the season when teams were ranked based on their highest score. This week’s ranking is the highest Arkansas received this late in the season and comes as a result of the team’s Regional Qualifying Score, or RQS. The RQS is based on a team’s six best regular-season meet scores, three of which must be on the road. The high score is thrown out and the remaining five scores are averaged. In addition to the overall success of the team, Arkansas is ranked fifth in the country on beam this week. The Gym’Backs are averaging 48.829 on the apparatus with a season-best 49.00 at No. 4 LSU earlier this year. "I think this is a special group," said co-head coach Rene Cook. "I’ve felt that way from the first week of preseason. But like anything else, you have to do your job everyday, every week and obviously we’ve been doing that and it’s being reflected in the scores. I’m very proud of the maturity of the team and the way they continue to improve each week." The Gym’Backs are the fourth highest ranking Southeastern Conference team as the league continues to dominate the standings. Louisiana State leads the league and is ranked third this week. Arkansas hosts No. 4 Florida Friday with fifth-ranked Alabama up next. Georgia ranks seventh this week, followed by No. 11 Arkansas, No. 19 Auburn and No. 20 Kentucky as the entire SEC remains in the top 20. For more information about Arkansas gymnastics or for tickets to Friday’s meet, please call the Lady Razorback Ticket Office at 57-LBACK or log on to LADYBACKS.COM.2005 GymInfo PollWeek 6 – Feb. 14

Team Ave. High Reg. RQS
1 Utah 196.350 NC 197.675 196.085
2 Michigan 196.250 NE 196.750 196.220
3 L.S.U. 196.158 C 197.250 0.000
4 Florida 195.958 SE 196.950 0.000
5 Alabama 195.921 C 197.175 0.000
6 Nebraska 195.646 SC 196.800 195.415
7 Georgia 195.604 SE 196.300 195.615
8 Iowa St. 195.450 NC 196.925 195.155
9 Oklahoma 195.437 SC 196.700 195.185
UCLA 195.437 W 197.300 196.105
11 Arkansas 194.979 SC 195.725 194.830
BYU 194.979 NC 196.125 194.750
13 Denver 194.896 NC 195.275 195.025
14 Penn St. 194.700 NE 196.650 194.310
15 So. Utah 194.475 NC 196.175 194.135
16 Oregon St. 194.375 W 195.975 194.460
17 Central Mich. 194.350 C 195.925 194.095
18 Arizona 194.271 SC 195.225 194.080
19 Auburn 194.262 C 195.325 194.050
20 Kentucky 194.187 C 195.525 0.000
21 Arizona St. 194.037 SC 195.700 193.705
22 Ohio St. 194.000 C 195.225 0.000
23 Washington 193.862 W 195.075 193.620
24 Minnesota 193.792 NC 194.450 0.000
25 Michigan St. 193.687 C 195.475 193.330
26 Stanford 193.487 W 194.675 0.000
27 Illinois 193.458 SC 194.150 193.320
28 W, Virginia 193.370 SE 195.875 0.000
29 Missouri 193.292 SC 196.225 192.705
30 No. Car. St. 192.855 SE 195.400 0.000
31 No. Carolina 192.844 SE 195.100 0.000
32 Utah St. 192.770 NC 194.925 0.000
33 Kent St. 192.765 C 195.400 0.000
34 MD-CP 192.712 SE 193.975 192.460
35 B. Green 192.243 C 194.075 192.295