Gymnastics

Hogs Head West for Metroplex Challenge

February 9, 2023

The Arkansas gymnastics team hits the road for its first of two consecutive road meets this weekend, beginning with the Metroplex Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas.

Saturday’s appearance will mark the third time that Arkansas has competed in the Metroplex Challenge dating back to 2015, and the first time since 2019. It’s the first quad meet and first on podium for the Gymbacks this season. The No. 16 Hogs will face off against the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners, No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide and No. 24 Stanford Cardinal.

The meet is set for 7:15 p.m. CT from the Fort Worth Convention Center Arena on Feb. 11. There will be no streaming or live stats options for the event. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to Arkansas’ social media channels for updates, and a compilation of the day’s routines will be uploaded to the Arkansas Razorbacks YouTube page as soon as possible following the meet.

Last Time Out

The Gymbacks made their return to Bud Walton Arena on Feb. 3 and put on a show in front of a program record 11,031 fans. Then-No. 18 Arkansas fell to No. 2 Florida 197.400-197.875, but the team had plenty of high points on the day. The score is the Hogs’ third highest ever as a program, and a new record in Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas also earned a new beam best for 2023 with a 49.350, and outscored Florida on floor 49.475-49.250. Freshman Lauren Williams earned a share of the floor title with a personal high of 9.950, and fellow freshman Cally Swaney earned new career bests on both bars and beam. Her 9.925 on beam was good for third place. For the second consecutive year, the Hogs set a new attendance high at Bud Walton Arena, and the meet is the fourth highest-attended women’s event ever held at the venue.

Scouting the Series: Oklahoma

  • Arkansas last saw the reigning national champions in the 2022 postseason, when the Hogs faced the Sooners in both regional and regional final action in Norman, in which the home team posted two victories over Arkansas. The Hogs have beaten the Sooners just once in program history, in 2009
  • In both prior Metroplex Challenge meetings, Oklahoma has defeated Arkansas by over one point en route to a meet victory
  • Oklahoma has been ranked No. 1 overall all season, and is currently No. 2 on all four events

Alabama

  • Saturday will be the second meeting of the season between the Gymbacks and the Crimson Tide. Arkansas previously fell to Alabama, 195.525-196.525, in the team’s first home meet of the season on Jan. 13
  • The Hogs are now 5-47-1 all-time against the Crimson Tide, 0-2 in regular season neutral site meets. The teams also competed against each other at 2022’s Elevate the Stage, where Alabama placed first and Arkansas placed third
  • The Gymbacks haven’t defeated Alabama in any meet since 2017

Stanford

  • The Gymbacks and the Cardinal have only competed against each other four times dating back to 2009, and the last came in 2015. Stanford leads the series 3-1
  • Saturday marks the first regular season action between the two, all other meetings came in regional or Super Six competition
  • Stanford has scored higher than its current season average (196.170) in each prior contest with Arkansas, including a high of 197.500 in the 2012 Super Six

Numbers to Know

Oklahoma (Avg score and ranking | Top ind. avg)

  • Vault: 49.525 (2nd) | Jordan Bowers, 9.930
  • Bars: 49.515 (2nd) | Audrey Davis, 9.925
  • Beam: 49.495 (2nd) | Olivia Trautman, 9.925
  • Floor: 49.485 (2nd) | Audrey Davis, 9.900
  • All-Around: 198.020 (1st) | Jordan Bowers, 39.625

Alabama

  • VT: 49.170 (16th) | Shallon Olsen, 9.833
  • UB: 49.240 (13th) | Makarri Doggette, 9.925
  • BB: 49.295 (9th) | Lilly Hudson, 9.900
  • FX: 49.330 (9th) | Gabby Gladieux/Luisa Blanco, 9.900
  • AA: 197.075 (11th) | Makarri Doggette, 39.375

Stanford

  • VT: 48.995 (25th) | Anna Roberts, 9.890
  • UB: 48.925 (33rd) | Claire Dean/Madison Brunette, 9.790
  • BB: 49.010 (26th) | Isabela Onyshko, 9.820
  • FX: 49.240 (20th) | Anna Roberts, 9.890
  • AA: 196.170 (24th) | Anna Roberts, 39.055

Arkansas

  • VT: 49.200 (13th) | Cami Weaver/Lauren Williams, 9.855
  • UB: 48.935 (31st) | Norah Flatley, 9.895
  • BB: 49.155 (15th) | Kiara Gianfagna, 9.875
  • FX: 49.370 (6th) | Lauren Williams, 9.910
  • AA: 196.660 (16th) | Norah Flatley, 39.208

More Information

Visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com for the latest information on all things Arkansas Gymnastics. You can also find the Razorbacks on social media by liking us on Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Gymnastics) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@RazorbackGym).

Powered by