Arkansas' Going To Nationals!

Jump to results|| Scores in html FAYETTEVILLE – The 18th-ranked University of Arkansas gymnastics team upset a higher seed finishing second at the 2006 NCAA South Central Regional earning the program’s first trip to the National Championship. Arkansas needed a team effort to post a 195.400 edging five-time national champion and ninth-ranked UCLA who counted a 195.175. Third-ranked Florida won the meet with a 196.375 and the Gators and Gym’Backs move on to the national meet April 20-22, at Oregon State. “It was amazing,” said co-head coach Rene Cook. “As much as you have a believe that you can do it, getting the job done is another matter. There are just so many variables and to actually come through and produce is an amazing thing.” The meet came down to the final rotation with Arkansas on beam and UCLA on the floor as the Gym’Backs held a .30 lead. The Gym’Backs posted a 48.975, tying their best beam score of the year while UCLA totaled a 49.000 on the floor. The Bruins, however, had to count a fall on bars that proved to be the difference-maker. “We really tied hard to focus on our routines,” said senior Katie Hardman. “We can only control ourselves and we just did our job. We didn’t really know how close it was going into the final rotation. But we were more focused in the final event than in any other we’ve been in. Ya know, someone on the team reminded me that we lost to UCLA our freshman year in the our first-ever road trip by five points. Now, we beat them to go to nationals. It’s like coming full circle.” The Gym’Back program is just four seasons old and is making its first NCAA Championship appearance while UCLA had made 14 consecutive appearances prior to this year. Hardman finished tied for second on the beam emerging as the Gym’Backs’ highest finisher on an event. She posted a 9.850 for Arkansas. Sophomore Samantha Cortez tied for third on the vault with a 9.850 while senior Melissa Leigh tied for third on the bars with a 9.875. Sophomore Emily Peacock was Arkansas’ top finisher on the floor tying for fifth place with a 9.800 while senior Dana McQuillin was seventh in the all-around with a 38.625. Florida won the meet, followed by Arkansas and UCLA. Illinois finished fourth with a 191.125, followed by Illinois-Chicago with a 191.125 and Southeast Missouri State with a 189.050. For more information about Arkansas gymnastics, log on to LADYBACKS.COM.2006 NCAA South Central Regional ChampionshipSaturday, April 08, 2006Barnhill Arena Fayetteville, Ark. Florida

Florida– 196.375Arkansas– 195.400UCLA– 195.175Illinois– 193.125Illinois-Chicago– 191.125Southeast Missouri State– 189.050Results VAULTMallory Machnik 9.75, Dana McQuillin 9.65, Breanne Guy 9.725, Audra Loveless 9.725, Samantha Cortez 9.850, Cassie Drew 9.725.

UNEVEN BARS Dana McQuillin 9.725, Katie Hardman 9.750, Hannah McLeod 9.775, Cassie Drew 9.125, Melissa Leigh 9.875, Emily Peacock 9.825.

BALANCE BEAM Emily Peacock 9.80, Cassie Drew 9.700, Rachel Barnett 9.750, Mallory Machnick 9.800, Dana McQuillin 9.775, Katie Hardman 9.850.

FLOOR EXERCISE Cassie Drew 9.75, Dana McQuillin 9.675, Mallory Machnik 9.700, Rachel Barnett 9.55, Katie Hardman 9.775, Emily Peacock 9.800.