Gymnastics

Hogs Take on Wildcats in Top 15 Showdown

February 16, 2023
SEC Network Live Stats Meet Notes

The Arkansas gymnastics team completes a two-meet road trip this weekend as the Gymbacks head to Lexington, Ky. to square off against the Wildcats in an SEC dual.

The meet will be a top 15 contest as Arkansas checks in at No. 14 this week and Kentucky at No. 11. The Wildcats are on a three-meet winning streak, while the Hogs recently came in third of four at last week’s Metroplex Challenge, their last and only SEC win coming on Jan. 27 against LSU.

The two teams are very close in the rankings, with just one spot separating No. 12 Kentucky and No. 13 Arkansas on vault, the Wildcats with an average score of 49.221 and the Gymbacks with a 49.204. Kentucky comes within the top 15 on each event except floor, and Arkansas is also in the top 15 on all but bars.

The dual will be broadcast live on SEC Network with Alex Perlman and Kennedy Baker on the call. The meet is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. CT.

Last Time Out

The Gymbacks team yet again showed what they’re capable of as the Hogs posted a team score of 197+ for the third consecutive week in Feb. 11’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.

Scouting the Series: Kentucky

  • Friday’s competition will be the 40th-ever meeting between Kentucky and Arkansas, and the Hogs currently have a 25-14 edge in the series, dating back to 2003
  • Despite the overall success against the Wildcats, the Hogs haven’t won in Lexington since 2011
  • Kentucky is ranked in the top 15 in three of four events. Arkansas outranks Kentucky on floor with a 49.342 average coming in at No. 10, while the Cats check in at No. 16 with an average of 49.279

Numbers to Know

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

  • Vault: 49.221 (12th) | Raena Worley, 9.863
  • Bars: 49.275 (12th) | Kaitlin Deguzman, 9.879
  • Beam: 49.308 (8th) | Raena Worley, 9.896
  • Floor: 49.279 (16th) | Kaitlin Deguzman, 9.879
  • All-Around: 197.083 (11th) | Raena Worley, 39.542

Arkansas

  • VT: 49.204 (13th) | Lauren Williams, 9.850
  • UB: 49.008 (T-25th) | Norah Flatley, 9.883
  • BB: 49.183 (13th) | Kiara Gianfagna, 9.858
  • FX: 49.342 (10th) | Leah Smith, 9.888
  • AA: 196.738 (14th) | 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).

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