Razorbacks Magee win again

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Junior All-American Casey Jo Magee made it five in a row winning the all-around title and leading the No. 8 University of Arkansas to a Southeastern Conference win over No. 9 Alabama in Barnhill Arena Friday. Arkansas (5-1, 2-0 SEC) defeated Alabama (2-2, 2-2 SEC) 196.625-196.525 in the closest meet of the season edging the Crimson Tide for just the second time in program history. Magee won her fifth all-around title with a 39.450 followed by junior Michelle Stout with a 39.325. It’s Stout’s fourth second-place showing. Freshman Jaime Pisani picked up a pair of individual wins on vault and uneven bars while Stout won her first beam title of the season. Magee picked up her second floor win as the Razorbacks swept the individual titles. “Wow. What can you say,” said Arkansas co-head coach René Cook. “We’ve had three meets in eight days and just did amazing. Obviously we were tired at the end of the meet but pushed and hung in there. I’m still in awe of their tenaciousness, focus and competitive spirit.” “It was a great performance all week long,” added co-head coach Mark Cook. “We showed a lot of heart all week and I’m very proud of the team.” Adding to the meet’s excitement was the snafu with the arena scoreboard. The teams were tied at 147.300 after three rotations and one gymnast into the fourth rotation, the scoreboard froze. The rowdy crowd of 2,785 stayed to the finish in anticipation of the scores and erupted as the final totals were announced. Arkansas opened with a 49.250 on the vault taking a quick lead as the Crimson Tide score 49.00 on bars. Freshman Mariah Howdeshell posted a career-best with a 9.80 and Magee tied her career-hit with a 9.875. Pisani won the event with a 9.925. Arkansas stretched the lead to 98.200-98.025 after two rotations despite scoring a 48.950 on the bars. The third rotation provided the drama as Bama stepped up with a 49.275 on the floor out-pacing Arkansas’ 49.100 on the beam. The Razorbacks got a career-best 9.825 from Sarah Nagashima followed by Stout’s career-with 9.875. Junior Amy DeFilippo added a 9.75 but a fall by the next gymnast saw things tighten up. Pisani came back tying her career-best with a 9.70 and Magee wrapped it up with a 9.825. The teams were tied at 147.30 heading into the final rotation and it couldn’t have been a more even situation. The Razorbacks were finishing on floor, an event they are ranked second in the country on this week. Bama, meanwhile, would finish on beam where they are the top-ranked team in the country. Arkansas opened with a freshman Molly Lewis who tied her career mark with a 9.825 and got a 9.85 from Nagashima. The crowd responded with senior Alex LaChance’s 9.90 but Alabama was keeping pace. They posted 9.80 and two 9.875’s as the score remained close. But Arkansas would close it out with 9.825 from Stout and Pisani followed by a career-best 9.925 from Magee as Arkansas sealed the win. The Razorbacks return to the road next week traveling to No. 18 Kentucky as SEC action continues. For more information about Arkansas gymnastics log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com.