No. 20 Gym'Backs third in opening meet

Jump to results HONOLULU, Hawai’i – The 20th-ranked University of Arkansas gymnastics team rallied after a slow start finishing third at the six-team Hawai’i Invitational in Honolulu, Hawai’i, Tuesday to open the season. Arkansas finished third overall in the low-scoring affair behind third-ranked UCLA and No. 13 Oregon State scoring a 190.625. The Bruins won the meet with a 193.775 followed by the Beavers with a 191.925. Arkansas just edged No. 18 Washington who finished fourth with 190.425 while California (189.350) and Sacramento State (188.075), both of whom received votes in the preseason poll, rounded out the scoring at Kailua High School. "We’re really happy to have survived our first meet," said co-head coach Rene Cook. "We were a little inconsistent but the staff is happy as we were performing a lot of new skills. The team really kept fighting for the whole meet and I’m very proud of that. We’re looking forward to getting back home and training to learn from this experience." The six-team meet saw the Gym’Backs (3-2) begin with a bye then start on the uneven bars. A pair of gymnasts fell forcing Arkansas to count one low score – a feat that was repeating on the traditionally strong balance beam one rotation later. In fact, Arkansas finished last in the beam with a 46.850 on what is usually the teams strongest event. "We had a couple of falls on beam but both were on new skills that we’ve added to routines," said Cook. "We’re disappointed with that but it is understandable. I think we can get by that and be better in the future." Arkansas waited again through a bye then attacked floor scoring a 47.650, the third best total for the meet. The momentum propelled Arkansas into one of the best vault performances in recent memory with the Gym’Backs finishing second on the event with a 48.250 behind UCLA’s 48.875. "The vault went very well," said Cook. "It pulled us through. It’s nice to see and we had half of the lineup doing new vaults. It was a great way to end the competition." Senior Dana McQuillin and junior Cassie Drew handled the all-around duties for Arkansas with McQuillin posting a 37.950. Drew tallied a 37.825. McQuillin was seventh overall. Sophomore Samantha Cortez paced the Gym’Backs on the bars with a team-best 9.80 while sophomore Emily Peacock earned Arkansas’ top bars score with a 9.80. The beam saw Peacock turn in a team-leading 9.60 while a 9.675 by senior Audra Loveless paced the floor scores for the Gym’Backs. The Gym’Backs return home Friday morning and begin preparation for their second road trip of the year traveling to Missouri Friday, Jan. 13. For more information about Arkansas gymnastics, log on to LADYBACKS.COM. 2006 Hawai’i InvitationalHonolulu, Hawai’iTuesday, Jan. 3, 2006Kailua High School

ARKANSAS RESULTSVault: 48.250Dana McQuillin 9.50; Cassie Drew 9.575; Alexandra LaChance 9.70; Samantha Cortez 9.80; Breanne Guy 9.0; Audra Loveless 9.675. Uneven Bars: 47.875Rachel Barnett 8.975; Dana McQuillin 9,625; Samantha Cortez 9.025; Cassie Drew 9.650; Melissa Leigh 9.775; Emily Peacock 9.80. Balance Beam: 46.850Emily Peacock 9.60; Rachel Barnett 9.550; Hannah McLeod 9.10; Cassie Drew 9.10; Alexandra LaChance 8.925; Dana McQuillin 9.50. Floor Exercise: 47.650Dana McQuillin 9.325; Cassie Drew 9.50; Rachel Barnett 9.60; Rachel Barnett 9.60; Emily Peacock 9.075, Alexandra LaChance 9.550; Audra Loveless 9.675. All-AroundCassie Drew — 37.825Dana McQuillin — 37.950