Arkansas gymnastics has successful interasquad

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas gymnastics team opened the 2009 season with an intersquad meet in Barnhill Arena Friday. “It was great,” enthused co-head coach René Cook. “This was a great opportunity to put our newcomers in front of a crowd and work out some nerves. We treated today like a regular season meet day and practiced our whole-day routine. “We just need to fine tune some things and continue to get more confidence,” she continued. “That’s what we’ll be working on the next couple weeks.” “I thought the team handled themselves well tonight,” added co-head coach Mark Cook. “I thought it was a very mature performance tonight and I’m happy with where we’re at. We want to keep building on it and get better.” Arkansas scored a 195.60 as a team in a solid performance. Arkansas is deepest at vault with eight gymnasts performing Friday. Returning All-American Michelle Stout anchored the vault and counted a 9.80. Freshman Jaime Pisani wowed the crowd and scored a meet-best 9.825 with Arkansas’ best five scores totaling a solid 48.825 on the opening event. The Razorbacks counted a 48.775 on the uneven bars again paced by an All-American. Junior Casey Jo Magee returns along with Stout to lead the team on this event. Stout scored a meet-high 9.825 followed by junior Sarah Nagashima with a 9.80. Magee posted a 9.775 for Arkansas followed by junior Amy DeFilippo with a 9.725. The Razorbacks competed seven on the balance beam scoring a 49.10, a mark most teams would be pleased with during the season. A trio of 9.85s from Magee, Pisani and lone senior Alex LaChance anchored the solid performance. Nagashima added a 9.80 and DeFilippo counted a 9.80. The Razorbacks wrapped up the night on floor with a 48.90. Magee paced the team with a 9.85, followed by a 9.80 from Stout. Arkansas opens the 2009 regular season hosting No. 21 Ohio State Jan. 9, in Barnhill Arena. For more information about Arkansas gymnastics, log on ArkansasRazorbacks.com.