Magee wins all-around and leads Gym'Backs to victory

Jump to meet resultsFAYETTEVILLE – University of Arkansas sophomore Casey Jo Magee recorded the second-best all-around score in program history leading the 10th-ranked Gym’Backs to a Southeastern Conference victory over No. 35 Kentucky in Barnhill Arena Friday. Magee posted a 39.475, just shy of the 39.50 set by Dana McQuillin in 2004, to win. Arkansas posted a 195.675 defeating the Wildcats who scored a 195.175. “It was great,” Magee said after the meet. “I tried to focus on what I’ve been training all week and just do my job. I just wanted to do well for the team.” Like any excited competition should, Friday’s meet came down to the wire with the Wildcats pushing Arkansas until the final rotation. “Kentucky has a lot of talent,” acknowledged co-head coach Rene Cook. “They pushed us but we had a great finish.” Cook was right as the Gym’Backs scored a season-best 49.225 on the floor behind a career-best 9.875 from Magee. Reigning SEC Gymnast of the Week Michelle Stout added a season-best 9.825 as did senior Samantha Cortez who scored a 9.85 helping Arkansas to the win. Kentucky scored a 49.125 in their final rotation on the beam but it wasn’t enough to overtake Arkansas. In addition to Magee winning her second all-around title of the season, the Eugene, Ore., native was second on the vault, tied for first on the bars and tied for second on both the beam and floor. Arkansas swept the top honors on the bars with senior Emily Peacock tying with Magee for the win. Stout was third and sophomore Amy DeFilippo tied for fourth on the event. The Gym’Backs opened the meet with a solid 49.175 on the vault and were in even better shape after a season-best 49.00 on the bars with both Peacock and Magee getting 9.90s. But the beam was problematic for the Gym’Backs as the home team had to count a fall opening the door for Kentucky. The Wildcats trailed Arkansas 196.450-146.075 after the third rotation. “We haven’t put all four events together in a meet yet this season,” said Cook. “Everything but beam was great tonight and that was a little disappointing. We are so close but still have yet to reach our potential and that’s exciting to see.” Arkansas rebounded from the beam with a season-high 49.225 on the floor to secure the team’s first SEC win of the season. More importantly, Arkansas posted it’s sixth consecutive score of 195-plus and will likely remain in the top 10 in the rankings again next week. The Gym’Backs continue SEC action hosting No. 16 Auburn Friday, Feb. 22, in Barnhill Arena. Tickets for the upcoming meet are still available. Please call the Razorback Ticket Office at 57-LBACK for more information. For more information about the Arkansas gymnastics team, please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.