Gym'Backs travel to New Hampshire

Jump to rotation order FAYETTEVILLE — The 15th-ranked University of Arkansas gymnastics team continues its record-setting season traveling to New Hampshire for NCAA Regional competition hosted by the University of New Hampshire, Saturday, April 9. Arkansas remained ranked in the top 18 this year entering Regional competition as one of the seeded teams. The Gym’Backs face No. 3 LSU, No. 10 Oklahoma, No. 41 New Hampshire, No. 51 Rutgers and 52 Pittsburgh in the second Regional appearance in the three seasons of gymnastics. "We are thrilled to be seeded going into Regionals, and especially excited to participate at the Northeast Regional site at the University of New Hampshire," said co-head coach Rene Cook. "Our team thrives on going into new environments and competing hard. We look forward to the challenge and the hopes of qualifying to the NCAA National Championships." The Gym’Backs are coming off the program’s best showing at the Southeastern Conference Championship where they finished fifth with a 195.325 against the nation’s toughest competition. The meet saw Arkansas post it’s best floor score of the year with a 49.075 edging No. 21 Auburn in the final rotation to move up a spot in the standings. Arkansas, making its second Regional appearance in as many seasons, is familiar with top seeded LSU having faced the Tigers twice this season but the Gym’Backs have not seen the other teams in this year’s field. "This event is exciting no matter who you compete against," said co-head coach Mark Cook. "We can’t control what the other teams do. We just have to go out there and do our jobs and see what happens." The West Region features UCLA, Penn State, Central Michigan, Washington, Stanford and Boise State. The North Central teams include Utah, Oregon State, BYU, Minnesota, Southern Utah and Iowa. The South Central Region is Nebraska, Michigan, Arizona, Missouri, Arizona State and Illinois while the Central Region includes Alabama, Iowa State, Utah State, Auburn, Kentucky and Kent State. The South East Regional is made up of Georgia, Florida, Denver, North Carolina, West Virginia and North Carolina State. The top two teams from each of six Regional sites advance to the NCAA Championship April 21-23, in Auburn, Ala. For more information about Arkansas gymnastics log on to LADYBACKS.COM.