Low scores don't dampen spirits

Jump to agate FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas tallied a 193.750 against perennial powerhouse and Southeastern Conference rival Alabama in dual meet action in Barnhill Arena Friday. The mark is the lowest of the year for the Gym’Backs and the lowest since the first season of gymnasts at Arkansas. The Crimson Tide notched a 194.800 for the meet. “We competed very well tonight,” said co-head coach Mark Cook. “Our scores were low but, again, we didn’t count a fall. We are still performing well and I’m happy with where we’re at at this point in the season.” The Gym’Backs were solid in the first two rotations, the vault and bars, opening the meet with a 48.500 on the table. A 9.70 from sophomore Cassie Drew kicked things off for Arkansas but Drew tweaked her ankle on the landing. Freshman Samantha Cortez pushed Arkansas’ best to 9.725 on the event and junior Audra Loveless raised the bar with a9.750 for Arkansas. The bars were much-improved from Arkansas’ last performance against the fourth-ranked Gators last week. Junior Dana McQuillin opened with a 9.725 closely followed by a 9.825 from Drew. “Cassie was shaken up a bit on her vault landing,” said Cook, “but she was able to walk it off and step up with a score when we needed it.” Junior Katie Hardman added a9.700 followed by junior Melissa Leigh’s 9.775. Freshman Emily Peacock topped things off with a 9.80 for Arkansas. The Gym’Backs struggled on beam with three low scores despite staying on the apparatus. The team rallied however, on the floor topping out with a 9.80 from freshman Mallory Machnik. Arkansas returns to action traveling to Denver Friday, March 5, for dual action and a break from SEC competition. The Gym’Backs host Missouri March 13 and welcome Nebraska, Oregon State and UCLA in quad action March 19, in the final meet of the regular season. For more information about Arkansas gymnastics log on to LADYBACKS.COM. Please call the Lady Razorback Ticket Office at 57-LBACK. No. 11 Arkansas hosts AlabamaFriday, February 25, 2005 Barnhill ArenaAlabama 194.800-Arkansas 193.750ROTATION 1ARKANSAS-Vault: 48.550 (Cassie Drew 9.70, Hannah McLeod 9.625, Mallory Machnik 9.75, Samantha Cortez 9.725; Audra Loveless 9.75, Rachel Barnett 9.0).ALABAMA-Bars: 48.975 (Ashley Miles 9.775, Brittany Comeaux 9.825, Shannon Hrozek 9.60, Dana Filetti 9.725, Mari Bayer 9.8, Terin Humphrey 9.85).ROTATION 2ARKANSAS – Bars: 48.825 (Dana McQuillin 9.725, Samantha Cortez 9.65, Cassie Drew 9.825, Katie Hardman 9.70, Melissa Leigh 9.775, Emily Peacock 9.80).ALABAMA-Vault: 49.125 (Brittany Comeaux 9.80, Dana Filetti 9.725, Terin Humphrey 9.825, Shannon Hrozek 9.90, Alexis Brion 9.775, Ashley Miles 9.825).ROTATION 3ARKANSAS – Beam: 47.800 (Dana McQuillin 9.65, Samantha Cortez 9.075, Emily Peacock 9.80, Cassie Drew 9.300, Hannah McLeod 9.325, Katie Hardman 9.725).ALABAMA – Floor: 48.450 (Dana Pierce 9.65, Mari Bayer 9.75, Erin Rightley 9.65, Terin Humphrey 9.25, Alexis Brion 9.675, Dana Filetti 9.725).ROTATION 4ARKANSAS – Floor: 48.575 (Rachel Barnett 9.700, Emily Peacock 9.70, Dana McQuilllin 9.675, Samantha Cortez 9.10, Mallory Machnik 9.80, Katie Hardman 9.70).ALABAMA – Beam: 48.250 (Rachel Delahoussay 9.50, Dana Filetti 9.50, Shannon Hrozek 9.850, Mari Bayer 9.525, Michelle Reecer 9.300, Terin Humphrey 9.80).