Gym'Backs fall to LSU

Baton Rouge, La. – The 14th-ranked University of Arkansas gymnastics team fell to No. 15 LSU Friday night by a score of 196.500-195.575. Arkansas picked up one individual title from freshman Casey Jo Magee on the beam. “We showed up and performed well tonight but had unfortunate falls on the beam,” said co-head coach Mark Cook. “We’ll get another chance against LSU at SECs.” Despite a fall in the first rotation the Gym’Backs recovered as senior Cassie Drew and junior Emily Peacock led the team with 9.825s on the bar. Drew tied her season-best score. Junior Samantha Cortez paced Arkansas on the vault with a 9.825 keeping the Gym’Backs close to LSU who counted a 9.875 from Summer Hubbard on the bars. Drew, Alex LaChance and Michelle Stout followed with 9.800s in the rotation. Arkansas had a solid performance on the floor in the third rotation posting a 49.125 including three 9.850s by Stout, Peacock and Rachel Barnett. Each Gym’Back tied for third place. LaChance added a season-best 9.800 in her performance. The Gym’Backs had two falls on beam and counted a 48.500 on the final event while LSU rallied with a 49.150 on the floor including a 9.900 from Ashleigh Clare-Kearney. Freshman Casey Jo Magee scored a career-best 9.900 on beam. “We started off great on bars, our strongest event,” said co-head coach Rene Cook. “We had a lot of excitement and intensity. Casey Jo was amazing on beam and it was nice to see her perform well under pressure and see her get rewarded by the judges.” The Gym’Backs return to action Friday traveling to No. 3 Utah for a quad meet that includes No. 25 BYU and No. 34 Southern Utah. For more information about Arkansas gymnastics please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.