Top-15 Matchup On Tap As Razorbacks Host Bulldogs
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The 10th-ranked Arkansas gymnastics team returns home for the second time this season for a Southeastern Conference bout against the 11th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs Friday at 6 p.m. inside Barnhill Arena.
“We’re just trying to capitalize on the improvements we made in our routines,” said head coach Mark Cook. “We’re really trying to focus on all of our landings. If we have our landings mastered this week we can really score big.”
Arkansas has posted solid scores in all three meets to begin the season. The Razorbacks posted a 196.150 in a close loss at Missouri last Friday, after scoring a 196.525 a week before against Kentucky, marking its highest scores in back-to-back meets since Feb. 3 and Feb. 10, 2017. For just the third time in program history, and first since 2014, Arkansas is averaging over a 196 after three meets.
It’s high scoring balance beam squad ranks fourth in the nation with an average score of 49.200 through three meets this season. The Razorbacks have three athletes ranked in the top 60 in the event, led by Freshman Sophia Carter who is tied for 24th with an average of 9.867. Senior Amanda Wellick and sophomore Jessica Yamzon are tied for 41st while sophomore Michaela Burton is ranked 54th.
Ranking 11th as Arkansas’ second best event, the Razorbacks average a score of 49.025 through three weeks on vault. Senior Braie Speed leads all Razorbacks on the event, and is tied for 20th in the nation with an average of 9.867. Speed led all athletes, winning the event title, at Missouri last Friday scoring a 9.900, her highest since the 2017 NCAA Fayetteville Regional. Junior Sydney McGlone ranks 27th, while Wellick comes in at No. 54 to round out the top 60.
The matchup against Georgia will be the first top-15 conference battle inside Barnhill Arena since Feb. 29, 2016 when Arkansas hosted ninth-ranked Auburn.
Tickets
Tickets for the meet are available for purchase online, or at the north or south entrances of Barnhill Arena beginning at 4:30 p.m. Friday. Single-meet tickets can be purchased in advance by clicking here, or by calling 1-479-575-5151. Arkansas’ clear bag policy will be in effect for all five home meets inside Barnhill Arena.
Promotions
The Razorbacks will try and set a new home meet attendance record against Georgia as one of the most popular promotions from the past few years returns. The meet against the Bulldogs will feature six American Girl Doll giveaways and kids are encouraged to bring their own dolls to the meet. The first 400 students attending the meet will receive a free custom pair of Razorback gymnastics socks.
For more information on Razorback gymnastics, including in-meet updates, follow @RazorbackGym on Twitter.
