Yamzon Wins Beam Title In Home Opener

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 12-ranked Arkansas gymnastics team made its home debut and opened Southeastern Conference competition on Friday night in Barnhill Arena.

Competing in front of the home fans for the first time in her career, Jessica Yamzon won the individual beam title and placed second in the all-around, as the Razorbacks fell to the sixth-ranked Missouri Tigers 195.850-193.950.

Three Razorbacks scored a 9.8 or higher on both vault and beam, as Arkansas posted identical 48.775 scores in the two rotations. Sydney McGlone anchored the Razorbacks on vault and scored a career-best 9.900. Jessica Yamzon (9.850) and Michaela Burton (9.825) also set career marks on balance beam.

Arkansas closed strong, scoring a 49.050 on floor, as all five competing gymnasts scored a 9.800 or higher in the event. Yamzon and Mia Bargiacchi led the way with career-best marks of 9.825.

Arkansas continues its six-week stretch against SEC competition, traveling to Georgia for their first SEC road meet of the season on Friday, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. “The Best Show in Town” returns to Barnhill Arena on Jan. 27, when the Razorbacks host No. 3 Alabama.

Notable

• Arkansas saw its nine-meet winning streak snapped against Missouri and is now 12-6 all-time against the Tigers.
• Jessica Yamzon set career bests on beam (9.850), floor (9.825) and all-around (39.075), winning the individual beam title and placing second on floor and in the all-around. It was the second individual title of the season for the Razorbacks.
• Makenzie Anderson made her season debut on vault, Leah MacMoyle made her season debut on uneven bars, while Kirby Rathjen made her collegiate debut, competing on balance beam.
• Three-time All-American Amanda Wellick suffered a lower leg injury during pre-meet warmups.
• Arkansas will face seven more teams ranked in the top 30 nationally. That includes three of the top six, all at home, beginning with No. 4 Alabama on Jan. 27.

Quotable

Coach Mark Cook on the overall meet

 “I was really disappointed in our bar performance tonight. It’s one meet, so we can throw that one away and go from there. We came back really strong on balance beam and regained our momentum back on floor. We learned a lot. It’s a young team, I hate to say that, but it was a learning experience. We will have to do better next time.”

Coach Mark Cook on the pre-meet injury to Amanda Wellick

“It’s a psychological blow. She’s the leader of the team. She is our best all-arounder. When that, happens it does rattle you. Like I told the girls, things happen in life, and you just have to respond to them.”

Up Next

No. 12 Arkansas continues its six-week stretch against SEC competition, traveling to Georgia for their first SEC road meet of the season on Friday, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. Georgia, ranked No. 30 in the nation, defeated No. 13 Auburn 196.800-196.075 on Friday night in Auburn.

“The Best Show in Town” returns to Barnhill Arena on Jan. 27, when Arkansas hosts No. 3 Alabama. The Razorbacks will also host No. 2 LSU (Feb. 10), No. 5 Florida (Feb. 17) and San Jose and Centenary for Senior Night on March 10.

Season ticket packages for all five regular-season home meets start at $25 for general admission. Fans can also purchase reserved season tickets for $40. Single-meet and NCAA Regional tickets are also now on sale.

Fans can purchase tickets by calling the Razorback Ticket Center at 800-982-HOGS or 479-575-5151. Additional ticketing information can also be found online.