No. 11 Gym'Backs at SECS in ALLTEL Arena

FAYETTEVILLE — The 11th-ranked University of Arkansas gymnastics team travels to ALLTEL Arena for the 2007 Southeastern Conference Championship Saturday, March 31. The SEC Championship comes to North Little Rock, Ark., for the first time in league history and will be competed on podium or elevated platform for the second consecutive year. "We are extremely excited about SECs," said co-head coach Rene Cook, "especially since its being held in Little Rock. We’re proud to represent our program and our sport in the state of Arkansas." "This is probably the most neutral site we’ve had for SECs in a long time," added co-head coach Mark Cook. "This meet is as exciting, if not more so, than the NCAA Championship." Arkansas has scratched its way to No. 11 in the most recent rankings and while most programs would take comfort in that, the Gym’Backs know they face a tough challenge in the SEC Championship. This week in the same GymInfo.com poll, Florida is ranked No. 1 followed by No. 2 Georgia, No. 3 Alabama and No. 4 LSU. Arkansas, at No. 11, is fifth in the seven-team conference with Auburn at No. 15 and Kentucky ranked 25th this week. "It’s pretty amazing to have the top four teams in the country all from one conference," said Mark Cook. "It is truly a testament to how strong the SEC is and fans who attend this meet will have a chance to see the nation’s best teams in action. It’s going to be a great meet." Arkansas has steadily improved all season and the scores have reflected the Gym’Backs’ success. Arkansas posted a season-best 196.450 in the team’s last meet and the Gym’Backs have won five meets in a row heading into the SEC Championship. The Gym’Backs leave Thursday evening and have a practice session in ALLTEL Arena Friday afternoon along with the other SEC teams. The meet is slated for a 6:00 p.m. start Saturday. Tickets are still available but are going fast. Please call the Lady Razorback Ticket Office at 57-LBACK or any Ticketmaster outlet for more information.