No. 8 Gymnastics hosts No. 9 Alabama

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The eighth-ranked University of Arkansas gymnastics team continues its busy week hosting No. 9 Alabama in a Southeastern Conference meet in Barnhill Arena Friday at 7 p.m. The meet will continue as planned despite the inclement weather in the Northwest Arkansas area and it is scheduled to be taped delayed on ESPN2 in February. The week has been a hectic one for the 4-1 Razorbacks. Last Friday, Arkansas upset top-ranked Florida beating the Gators for the first time in program history. The Razorbacks then hit the road Sunday competing at No. 7 Oklahoma Monday night. It was the first time in program history Arkansas had schedule a “back-to-back” meet and the Razorbacks rose to the challenge setting a school record with a 196.90 in a first-ever win over OU on just two days rest. Arkansas was scheduled to return to campus after the meet but the weather forced several delays with the team finally arriving in Fayetteville late Wednesday afternoon. Now, Arkansas faces another quick turn-around before hosting the Crimson Tide. “Yes, this week has had a few more challenges that we anticipated,” said Arkansas co-head coach Rene Cook. “But this team is very focused and rises to the challenge. They have been flexible and taken everything in stride. Alabama is a very good team and we will have to hit our routines and stay on the equipment to be successful.” Junior Casey Jo Magee has led the charge for the Razorbacks. The Eugene, Ore., native has won four consecutive all-around titles and set a school record with a 39.525 against the top-ranked Gators last week. Junior Michelle Stout is a perfect 4-for-4 winning four vault titles this year and junior Sarah Nagashima has posted a career-best as an all-arounder this year counting most of her scores toward the team total. Freshman Jaime Pisani, this week’s SEC Freshman Gymnast of the Week, is also competing well and her scores will be counted on Friday. This week’s meet, as well as all regular-season home meets, are free to UA students with a valid student ID. For more information about Arkansas gymnastics, please log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com.