No. 13 Arkansas downs Kentucky in SEC action

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The 13th-ranked University of Arkansas scored a 194.925 downing 10th-ranked Kentucky in Southeastern Conference gymnastics action in Lexington, Ky., Friday. The 194.925-193.575 win margin was solid as three Gym’Backs were individual winners. Freshman Samantha Cortez and junior Audra Loveless tied for the vault win with a 9.775 while Cortez and sophomore Cassie Drew tied for second on the bars with a 9.750. Junior Melissa Leigh emerged with the bars title with a 9.825 bettering last week’s score. “The girls did a great job for the second week in a row,” enthused co-head coach Rene Cook. “We didn’t count a fall and despite some errors, we had some athletes step up and perform in adversity. We showed a lot of maturity and we’re pleased with that.” Arkansas led Kentucky through the first two rotations, 97.200-96.125. The Gym’Backs scored a 48.750 on the vault improving from the 48.40 from the previous week. “We set a goal before the vault and we hit that number tonight,” said assistant coach Rose McLaughlin. “We said we’d be happy with that.” The uneven bars were also strong with Arkansas record-holder Leigh leading the Gym’Backs with a season-best 9.825. She was aided by a pair of 9.750 from Cortez and Drew. Sophomore Rachel Barnett opened the floor exercise for the Gym’Backs with an explosive routine earning a 9.725, followed by a 9.775 from freshman Mallory Machnik. Freshman Emily Peacock matched that with Cortez adding a 9.850 and junior Katie Hardman earning a 9.875 as Arkansas’ lead increased. As the Gym’Backs moved to the final rotation they were in firm control. Junior Dana McQuillin opened with a solid 9.60 followed by a great landing from Leigh drawing a 9.70. The scores continued to increase with a personal best 9.775 from Peacock and wrapped up with a 9.850 from Cortez and a 9.875 from Hardman in the win. The Gym Kats equaled or set several personal bests on floor while Arkansas finished on the beam but it wasn’t enough to overcome the large Arkansas lead. The Gym’Backs continue SEC action with their third road meet in a row traveling to Auburn Friday, Jan. 21, for a match that will be televised by FOX Sports Net. Arkansas opens the home schedule hosting Georgia Friday, Jan. 28, at 7:00 p.m. For more information and tickets please call the Lady Razorback Ticket Office at 57-LBACK or log on to www.ladybacks.com. No. 13 Arkansas 194.925 def. Kentucky 193.575Friday. Jan. 14, 2005At Memorial Coliseum, Lexington, Ky.ROTATION 1 ARKANSAS-Bars – 48.750 (Dana McQuillin 9.650, Samantha Cortez 9.750, Cassie Drew 9.750, Katie Hardman 9.725, Melissa Leigh 9.825, Emily Peacock 9.70). KENTUCKY-Vault – 48.400 (Michelle Gales 9.725, Rachel Riley 9.575, Kristen O’Shields 9.725, Staci O’Keefe 8.90, Lindsay Cameron 9.725, Krystel Cook 9.650). ROTATION 2 ARKANSAS-Vault – 48.450 (Cassie Drew 9.675, Dana McQuillin 9.625, Mallory Machnik 9.150, Samantha Cortez 9.775, Audra Loveless 9.775, Melissa Leigh 9.60). KENTUCKY-Bars – 47.625 (Sarai Sever 9.650, Lucy Burgin 9.725, Crissy Cannon 9.125, Rachel Riley 9.725, Michelle Gales 9.40, Krystel Cook 9.050). ROTATION 3 ARKANSAS-Floor – 49.000 (Rachel Barnett 9.725, Mallory Machnik 9.775, Emily Peacock 9.775, Dana McQuillin 8.925, Samantha Cortez 9.850, Katie Hardman 9.875). KENTUCKY-Beam – 48.350 (Crissy Cannon 9.70, Bethany Strauch 9.150, Kristen O’Shields 9.825, Amanda Coates 9.325, Rachel Riley 9.80, Michelle Gales 9.70). ROTATION 4 ARKANSAS-Beam – 48.725 (Dana McQuillin 9.65, Melissa Leigh 9.70, Emily Peacock 9.775, Cassie Drew 9.80, Samantha Cortez 8.40, Katie Hardman 9.80). KENTUCKY-Floor – 49.100 (Kristen O’Shields 9.750, Lucy Burgin 9.775, Crissy Cannon 9.80, Kristen Kaufman 9.575, Rachel Riley 9.875, Michelle Gales 9.9).