No. 9 gymnastics at SEC Championship

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The ninth-ranked University of Arkansas gymnastics team challenges the rest of the league Saturday at the 2009 Southeastern Conference Championship meet in Nashville, Tenn. The Razorbacks go head-to-head with the nation’s best gymnasts in what is arguably the biggest collegiate meet of the competitive year Saturday in the Sommet Center. “The SEC Championship is more like a marathon than a sprint,” said Arkansas co-head coach René Cook. “It’s a long meet that takes a lot of focus and discipline to master. We are heading into the SEC Championships focusing on ourselves and hitting our routines while eliminating some of our deductions. We’re excited and can’t wait to get to Nashville.” “We are proud and excited to be competing inour country’s premier conference championship this weekend,” said co-head coach Mark Cook. “Our goal is to compete hard and give 100 percent. The SEC Championship is the only conference to compete on a showcase podium, and the field is comprised of some outstanding teams. It will be an exciting event.” This year’s seven-team field includes No. 1 Georgia, No. 4 LSU, No. 5 Alabama, No. 6 Florida, No. 9 Arkansas, No. 11 Auburn and No. 22 Kentucky. Junior All-American Casey Jo Magee leads a talented group of Razorbacks into battle this week. Magee, the reigning SEC Gymnast of the Week, has won a school record seven all-around titles, tied the school record on vault and posted an all-around school record this year. Junior All-American Michelle Stout has been on Magee’s heels all season winning her first all-around title this year. Freshman Jaime Pisani stepped in right away and has collected a pair of all-around titles and has twice been named SEC Freshman Gymnast of the Week this year. “We’re heading into this meet with a little more confidence this year,” said René Cook. “We have a lot more maturity and we just don’t get as rattled as we have in the past. The SECs are bragging rights. We want to go in a do well but we also have to keep this meet in perspective. Unlike other sports in the SEC, this meet doesn’t determine the postseason.” In fact, Arkansas’ postseason fate will be determined in a couple of weeks when the Razorbacks host the 2009 NCAA South Central Regional Championship in Barnhill Arena April 4. The top two teams from each of the six regional sites will advance to the NCAA Championship meet in Lincoln, Neb. For more information about Arkansas gymnastics please log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com.