Magee SEC gymnast of week

FAYETTEVILLE – No. 7 Arkansas and senior All-American Casey Jo Magee had a big night in last week’s gymnastics victory at No. 22 Minnesota, and Magee has been named the Southeastern Conference’s Gymnast of the Week.

Magee shares the award with LSU’s Susan Jackson after setting a school record in the all-around for the second time this season.

This is the seventh time a Razorback has earned the SEC award and the third for Magee, who was honored twice last season.

The Razorbacks scored 196.925 points in Minneapolis last week, which is the most in program history for a true road meet. Arkansas posted a 196.950 at last year’s NCAA Championship Session II to earn a spot in the Super Six, where the Razorbacks finished fifth in the nation, but that was at a neutral site.

"Coming off the trip to Washington, we were in a great frame of mind," co-head coach René Cook says. "We struggled (at Washington), but held our own. We were more confident and determined at Minnesota."

Earlier this year, in the win over No. 16 Auburn, Arkansas set a school record for points in a meet with 197.025, meaning two of the top three scores in program history have been posted this season.

"We went in with the attitude that we were going to go 24-for-24 (hit all 24 individual performances)," co-head coach Mark Cook says. "The girls were relaxed and performed well."

Individually, Magee, who is ranked No. 1 in the nation on beam for the second straight week, set a school record with a 39.650 all-around total. Her mark tops the previous record of 39.625, which she set earlier this year against Auburn. That mark topped the previous record of 39.525, which she shared with others.

"She stuck her landings and was phenomenal," Mark Cook says. "She’s rocking right now."

Magee is currently ranked No. 4 in the nation in the all-around, No. 17 on vault, No. 19 on bars and No. 24 on floor.

"She’s getting very mature to her approach," René Cook says. "She’s worked hard in the gym and outside the gym. She has a lot of confidence."

Sophomore All-American Jaime Pisani tied the school record on floor with a 9.95. She now shares the record with Rachel Barnett, who posted a 9.95 twice in 2004.

In addition, Pisani had a 9.95 on vault, which ties for the second-best mark in school history. Magee had a 9.925 on vault and a 9.90 on bars to tie the sixth-best marks in Razorback history in each event, and a 9.925 on floor, which ties for fourth-best.

Pisani is ranked No. 11 in the nation in the all-around, and No. 8 on both vault and floor.

"Jaime is learning how to focus her energy and how to compete well," René Cook says. "She looks up to Casey, so it’s nice to see. They all help each other."

Arkansas is home this week to host No. 40 Pittsburgh on Friday at 7 p.m. in Barnhill Arena. Promotions for Friday’s meet include a t-shirt giveaway sponsored by Jason’s Deli and a PlayStation console and game package giveaway to a UA student. Friday is also Health Club Appreciation Night. Anyone with a gym membership card will be admitted for $1.