2010 schedule released
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Six home meets highlight the University of Arkansas gymnastics team’s 2010 schedule, which was released Tuesday.
The Razorbacks are coming off a record-setting season in which they finished fifth in the nation last year. Arkansas graduated one athlete and adds three to the fold for what promises to be an exciting year.
“We are looking forward to another challenging schedule for 2010,” said co-head coach Mark Cook. “We start the season against Arizona, face all our SEC rivals and have trips to Washington and Minnesota this year. It’s going to be very exciting.”
The Razorbacks open the season at home hosting Arizona Jan. 9. Arkansas is 2-2 against the Wildcats in what is becoming a very competitive match-up.
Arkansas next faces back-to-back road Southeastern Conference meets, traveling first to Florida then to Alabama Jan. 15 and 22, respectively. Arkansas upset both the Gators and Tide in Barnhill last year earning the program’s first SEC wins over both teams. The Gators were No. 1 at the time and Bama was ranked ninth and both programs finished the year in the four in the nation.
The home schedule resumes with Kentucky Jan. 29 and Auburn Feb. 5. Arkansas is undefeated against the Wildcats with a 13-0-1 series record. The Auburn series has been a bit closer with the Razorbacks tied with the Tigers, 7-7.
Arkansas next travels to Athens, Ga., facing the 10-time defending national champion Georgia GymDogs in their home gym. The SEC schedule concludes with a home meet against LSU Feb. 19. Arkansas defeated LSU in the Super Six last year, getting the program’s first win over the Tigers.
Four non-conference meets wrap up the regular season. Arkansas travels to Washington and Minnesota, a couple a familiar foes for the Razorbacks. Arkansas is a perfect 3-0 against the Huskies and makes their second trip to Seattle. The Razorbacks are 4-0 against the Gophers and have edged Minnesota twice in the Gophers home gym.
“The trip to Washington will be somewhat of a homecoming for three of our athletes who come from the Pacific Northwest area,” said Cook.
The final two meets of the regular season take place in Barnhill as the Razorbacks host Pittsburgh March 12 and Oklahoma March 19.
Arkansas is 3-0 against Pittsburgh but the teams have not faced each other since the 2007 season. Oklahoma holds the series advantage over Arkansas but the Razorbacks picked up a big win in Norman last year.
“Our last meet of the regular season should be a close one when we host Oklahoma,” said Cook. “That’s becoming a great rivalry and a fun meet.”
The postseason begins in a new location with the SEC Championships scheduled for Jacksonville, Fla., March 26. The NCAA Regionals and NCAA Championships follow in April.
For more information about Arkansas gymnastics, log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com.
2010 ARKANSAS GYMNASTICS SCHEDULEDATE OPPONENT SITE TIMEJan. 9 ARIZONABARNHILL 7 p.m.Jan. 15Florida*Gainesville, Fla. 6 p.m.Jan. 22 Alabama*Tuscaloosa, Ala 7:30 p.m.Jan. 29 KENTUCKY* BARNHILL 7 p.m.Feb. 5 AUBURN*BARNHILL 7 p.m.Feb. 12 Georgia*Athens, Ga. 6:30 p.m.Feb. 19 LSU*BARNHILL 7 p.m.Feb. 26 WashingtonSeattle, Wash. 8 p.m.March 5 MinnesotaMinneapolis, Minn. 7 p.m.March 12PITTSBURGHBARNHILL 7 p.m.March 19OKLAHOMABARNHILL 7 p.m.March 26SEC Championships Jacksonville, Fla. 3 p.m.April 10 NCAA Regional ChampionshipsTBA 6 p.m. Central (Kentucky)Lexington, Ky. North Central (Utah)Salt Lake City, Utah Northeast (Penn State)University Park, Penn. South Central (Missouri)Columbia, Mo. Southeast (West Virginia)Morgantown, W.V. West (UCLA)Los Angeles, Calif.
April 22-24NCAA Championships Gainesville, Fla. TBA
