Razorbacks Maintain Top-10 Ranking After Record Performance
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas gymnastics team maintained its No. 10 ranking following its record 197.275 performance against Arizona last Friday, giving the program its highest Regional Qualifying Score (RQS) in team history of 196.660.
The Razorbacks have now scored multiple scores of 197 or higher twice in one season for just the second time in program history, joining the 2012 season. Arkansas posted a 197.175 against Georgia earlier this season. Its the first time in program history that Arkansas has posted multiple 197’s during the regular season.
Arkansas began the year as the preseason 19th-best team and has not held a ranking below No. 11 since week one’s rankings were released Jan. 8.
The Razorbacks remain in fifth place in the Southeastern Conference, now less than a tenth of a point behind Kentucky. The top four teams in the league make the second session of the SEC Championships on March 24, as the Razorbacks are looking to make their first appearance in the evening session in program history.
Event Rankings
After posting its highest score on bars in team history of 49.575 against Arizona, the Razorbacks moved up to No. 7 in the nation as its highest ranked event. Arkansas places three in the top-50, led by Senior Amanda Wellick who is ranked No. 25. Freshman Sarah Shaffer is just behind Wellick, ranked No. 36, while fellow senior Braie Speed comes in at No. 41. Speed tied the program record on bars against Arizona with a 9.950.
Remaining one of the top beam squads in the country, the Razorbacks rank No. 9 on the event with an RQS of 49.250. Freshman Sophia Carter is the Razorbacks top-ranked athlete on the event, coming in at No. 13 with an RQS of 9.900. Carter has the two highest scores in program history on the event, scoring a 9.975 twice. Sophomore Michaela Burton ranks No. 27 with an RQS of 9.885.
Arkansas ranks 13th on the floor and 21st on vault. Speed is the Razorbacks’ top vaulter, ranked No. 25 with an RQS of 9.875, while Shaffer leads the way on the floor coming in at No. 18. Shaffer has recorded a 9.900 or higher in five of the last six meets on the floor.
The Razorbacks return to action this Friday in Norman, Oklahoma for the OU Quad. Arkansas will be paired up with the top-ranked Sooners, as well as No. 12 Arizona State and No. 15 Denver.
For more information on Arkansas gymnastics, including in-meet updates, follow @RazorbackGym on Twitter.
