Gym'Backs ranked 20th in preseason poll
Jump to poll FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas gymnastics team opens the 2006 season ranked 20th in the GymInfo preseason poll. Arkansas received 171 points and were among seven Southeastern Conference teams ranked in the Top 25. "We were ranked 24th in the preseason poll last year," said co-head coach Mark Cook, "and we’ve moved up to No. 20 to start this year. As you move up the polls, it gets harder and harder. The established programs are expected to stay in the top spots and it’s hard to break in. We appreciate the vote of confidence that the rankings provide." The Gym’Backs face a challenging schedule meeting defending national champion and top-ranked Georgia as well as No. 3 UCLA, No. 4 Alabama, No. 6 Florida, No. 7 LSU, No. 8 Nebraska, No. 12 Penn State, No. 13 Oregon State, No. 15 Auburn, No. 16 Missouri, No. 18 Washington, No. 22 North Carolina and No. 23 Kentucky. "We continue to strive to be one of the best teams in the country and to do that, you have to compete against the best," said Cook. "This schedule will challenge us but I think we’re ready for the test." Arkansas celebrates the program’s first-ever senior class with five upperclassmen leading the Gym’Backs this year. Seniors Katie Hardman, Melissa Leigh, Audra Loveless, Hannah McLeod and Dana McQuillin helped Arkansas to a pair of NCAA Regional appearances while McQuillin traveled to the NCAA Championship as an individual. This year the Gym’Backs also step up their home schedule hosting the 2006 South Central Regional April 8 in Barnhill Arena. Tickets for the 2006 gymnastics season are currently on sale at the Lady Razorback Ticket Office. Please call 57-LBACK or log on to LADYBACKS.COM for more information.
2006 GymInfo Pre-Season Coaches Poll
Rank | Team | Points | 1st Place Votes |
1 | Georgia | 603 | 15 |
2 | Utah | 586 | 5 |
3 | UCLA | 579 | 3 |
4 | Alabama | 532 | 2 |
5 | Michigan | 492 | |
6 | Florida | 470 | |
7 | Louisiana State (LSU) | 443 | |
8 | Nebraska | 424 | |
9 | Stanford | 417 | |
10 | Oklahoma | 383 | |
11 | Iowa State | 359 | |
12 | Penn State | 341 | |
13 | Oregon State | 331 | |
14 | Arizona State | 293 | |
15 | Auburn | 213 | |
16 | Missouri | 208 | |
17 | Arizona | 188 | |
18 | Washington | 185 | |
19 | Brigham Young | 180 | |
20 | ARKANSAS | 171 | |
21 | Denver | 144 | |
22 | North Carolina | 99 | |
23 | Kentucky | 88 | |
24 | Minnesota | 76 | |
25 | New Hampshire | 50 |
Other team receiving votes: Central Michigan, California, West Virginia, Boise State, Utah State, Illinois, Iowa, North Carolina State, Southern Utah, Michigan State, Maryland, Fullerton, Ohio State, Illinois-Chicago, Pittsburgh, Sacramento State, San Jose