Peacock leads the beam at Alabama

Jump to agate TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – University of Arkansas sophomore Emily Peacock posted a season best with a 9.825 on the balance beam leading the 21st-ranked Gym’Backs in Southeastern Conference action at No. 3 Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Friday night. Peacock opened the final event for Arkansas with a 9.825 bettering four consecutive 9.70s on the apparatus and tying for second. Arkansas finished with a 48625 on the event – the highest of the year. In addition to Peacock’s team-leading mark, Arkansas got a 9.725 from junior Cassie Drew and a pair of 9.70s from Mallory Machnik and Dana McQuillin. Arkansas (4-9, 0-4 SEC) fell to the third-ranked Crimson Tide (11-1, 4-1 SEC), 195.825-194.175. That score is the second highest of the year for the Gym’Backs. “We did awesome tonight,” said co-head coach Mark Cook. “We preformed to our potential and hit 23 of 24 routines just like we did all week in practice. “The scores were extremely low but it didn’t dampen our spirits,” he continued. Co-head coach Rene Cook echoed the sentiments. “We performed outstanding tonight,” she said. “The scores were low but we didn’t let it effect our performance.” Arkansas opened the meet with a consistent performance on the bars with four Gym’Backs posting 9.70. Peacock paced the bar workers with a 9.80 as Arkansas scored 48.60 to open the meet. That mark is the second-best team bars score of the year just missing the season-best of 48.650 set against No. 15 Penn State a couple of weeks ago. The third ranked Crimson Tide opened with a strong vaulting performance including a pair of 9.9s to lead 49.20-48.60 after the first routine. Scores continued to be low in the second rotation despite more solid performances from the Gym’Backs. Mallory Machnik opened with a 9.625, followed by 9.60 from Dana McQuillin and a 9.625 from Breanne Guy. Audra Loveless added a 9.650 before Samantha Cortez elevated the scores wit a 9.775. Arkansas’ Cassie Drew finished strong with a 9.80 as the Gym’Backs tallied a 48.475 on the vault. Although consistent, Arkansas’ vault total was well below the season average of 48.737 and off the season-best 49.025 set last week at No. 5 Florida. Arkansas peaked on the floor with a 9.775 from Peacock and added a 9.75 from Rachel Barnett en route to 48.475. Drew also posted a 9.75 while Cortez counted a 9.625 for the Gym’Backs. The Gym’Backs trailed Alabama, 146.875-145.550, heading into the final rotation. A reminder to Gym’Back fans…Arkansas’ home meet with No. 15 Penn State Feb. 3, airs Saturday, Feb. 18, at 3:00 p.m., on FOX 46 in Fayetteville. The Gym’Backs return to SEC action hosting three in a row at Barnhill Arena. Arkansas opens with No. 18 Kentucky, Feb. 24, followed by a meet with No. 17 Auburn March 3. Arkansas breaks from league action hosting No. 31 Washington March 12. For more information about Arkansas gymnastics, please call the Lady Razorback Ticket Office at 57-LBACK or log on to LADYBACKS.COM.