Rotation set for NCAA Championship

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas’ rotation is set for next week’s NCAA Gymnastics Championship and it’s one the Razorbacks have had success with in the past.

No. 9 Arkansas finished second in the NCAA West Regional at UCLA and is one of 12 teams to advance to the semifinals in Gainesville, Fla., April 22-24.

In just eight seasons, the Razorbacks have earned seven NCAA regional bids and four trips to the NCAA Championship, including four of the last five seasons. Arkansas reached the Super Six for the first time last year and finished fifth in the nation.

Arkansas is competing in the second semifinal session on Thursday with a rotation of bars, beam, bye, floor, vault and bye.

Arkansas had that rotation in NCAA regional competition in both 2008 and 2009 with good performances. The Razorbacks finished second in the North Central Regional in Minneapolis, Minn., and advanced to the NCAA Championship. Last year, Arkansas won the NCAA South Central Regional in Fayetteville before moving on to the NCAA Championship and eventually finishing fifth in the country.

Arkansas’ session on Thursday, which is at 6 p.m. (central), includes No. 1 Alabama, No. 4 Florida, No. 6 Michigan, No. 6 Stanford and No. 15 Missouri.

The first semifinal, which is at noon, includes No. 2 Oklahoma, No. 3 UCLA, No. 8 Oregon State, No. 10 Utah, No. 11 LSU and No. 12 Nebraska.