Team honored at football game

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas’ gymnastics team was honored at the football game against Auburn this past weekend.

The Razorbacks were recognized on the field following the best season in school history.

Arkansas won the NCAA South Central Regional, advanced to the NCAA Championships for the third time and reached the NCAA Super Six for the first time. At the Super Six, Arkansas finished fifth in the nation.

In just seven years of existence, the Razorback gymnastics program has earned NCAA appearances six times. During the season last year, Arkansas recorded wins over No. 1 Florida, No. 2 Utah, No. 4 Stanford, No. 6 LSU, No. 6 Oregon State, No. 7 UCLA, No. 7 Oklahoma and No. 9 Alabama.

The Razorbacks ended the 2009 season ranked No. 5 in the nation with Michelle Stout, Sarah Nagashima, Casey Jo Magee, Jaime Pisani and Alexandra LaChance earning All-America honors. Co-head coaches Mark and René Cook were named NCAA South Central Regional Coaches of the Year.

Stout, Nagashima and LaChance also advanced to the NCAA Championship event finals.

“We all felt honored to be able to be recognized at Saturday’s football game,” René Cook says. “The team is so proud to be able to represent this University and to have Arkansas fans applaud their accomplishments was an overwhelming experience.”

Razorbacks participating in Saturday’s recognition ceremony were LaChance, Magee, Stout, Nagashima, Pisani, Amy DeFilippo, Stacy Bartlett, Molly Lewis, Mariah Howdeshell, Genny Salvatore, Alyssa Strodel, Mark and René Cook, Director of Operations Samantha Cortez and manager Ashley Binns.

Arkansas opens the 2010 season on Jan. 9 with a home meet against Arizona.