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