Gym'Backs train sightsee in Hawai'i

HONOLULU, Hawai’i – The University of Arkansas gymnastics team took part in their second day of practice and got in a bit of site-seeing Sunday near Honolulu, Hawai’i. Arkansas, on the island for a meet Tuesday against some of the top teams in the country, arrived in Honolulu mid-day Friday and have worked out twice at a local club facility. The Gym’Backs, ranked 20th in the preseason poll, will have a light practice Monday before competing Tuesday against No. 3 UCLA, No. 13 Oregon State, No. 18 Washington, California and Sacramento State. Arkansas took a bus tour around the island after practice Sunday seeing Pipeline, the Dole Pineapple Plantation and several television and movie filming locations including
Lost, Baywatch, 51 Dates and King Kong. The Gym’Backs returned to the hotel later in the day meeting for a team meal. Monday’s itinerary includes a trip to Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial before returning to the gym for and afternoon workout. Arkansas competes on Tuesday at10 p.m., Central (6:00 p.m., locally) in the first meet of the regular season. This year’s team features the first ever senior class as five of the original Gym’Backs remain from the inaugural team. Katie Hardman, Melissa Leigh, Audra Loveless, Hannah McLeod and Dana McQuillin lead the Gym’Backs this year. The Gym’Backs have a challenging start to the season with the first three meets of the year on the road. Arkansas returns to Fayetteville Friday and departs for Missouri the following Thursday facing the No. 16 Tigers Jan. 13. The Gym’Backs travel to No. 1 Georgia Jan. 20, as the senior continues. For more information about Arkansas gymnastics please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.