Tag: arkansas gymnastics

Arkansas gymnastics finishes 7th at at NCAA Championships

The Hogs’ run wasn’t quite a Cinderella story, but few thought Arkansas would end up where they ended up this year. Impressive.

The Arkansas gymnastics team was knocked out of the NCAA Championships on Thursday, finishing fourth in their semifinal round and seventh overall.

The appearance in the Championships was the program’s first since 2018. Their score of 196.475 was behind Stanford’s 197.075 for third place, California’s 197.7125 for second and LSU’s 198.1125 for first. The Tigers’ score is second highest ever in the Championships and the Tigers and Golden Bears advanced to the final round.

Arkansas, the lowest-seeded team of the eight in the Championships, struggled from the beginning. The 196.475 score was the team’s third lowest all year.

The Razorbacks had one gymnast finish on the podium. Reese Drotar scored the team’s only 9.9 or higher of the meet, earning a 9.925 score on the uneven bars, tying for first in the event.

Coach Jordyn Wieber said the Razorbacks gave it all they had in every gymnasts first NCAA Championships.

“First of all, I’m really proud of the team,” Wieber said. “It’s been an incredible year with so many highlights and great moments. Just getting to this competition was an incredible accomplishment.”

How big is Arkansas gymnastics now? The New York Times came knocking

Wieber’s star power helped, certainly, but she has the Hogs one of the best programs in the country.

Gymnastics is not the first – or second or third or even fourth – sport brought to mind traitionally when one thinks of Arkansas athletics.

Jordyn Wieber and her Razorbacks are changing that, year by year.

Arkansas hired the former gold medalist as gymnastics head coach in 2020. Wieber had been only a volunteer assistant before athletic director Hunter Yurachek gave her the keys to the program. Now, Arkansas is in the NCAA Gymnastic Championships.

The Hogs will go against No. 2-seed LSU, No. 3-seed California and No. 8-seed Stanford in one semifinal pool starting Thursday at 3:30 p.m. Oklahoma, Florida, Utah and Alabama are in the other semifinal. The top two teams in each semi advance to the four-team final.

Such an outcome for Arkansas was hard to imagine even three years. Instead, Arkansas reached the vaunted “198” score this season and ended up finishing the regular year with their four highest scores in program history.

Arkansas’ appearances in the NCAA Championships is the school’s ninth overall, but that number is misleading. In this day and age, only eight teams advance that far. In the Razorbacks’ previous eight appearances, 12 teams made the Championships.

The 28-year-old coach brought her team that far because keeping them focused, but unpressured. She won’t change heading into Thursday.

“I know that they know this is a big deal and I don’t really need to say that for them to know it,” Wieber said. “What they need from me, and this has honestly been consistent messaging all season, is don’t build up any singular moment.”

Hogs bound for first NCAA Championships since 2018

Doing it in front Bud Walton Arena’s home crowd was a blast.

From 10-seed to top three, the Arkansas gymnastics team found themselves in a rare place Saturday night.

The Razorbacks are bound for the NCAA Championships after a 197.825, a school record in an NCAA Regional, scored inside Bud Walton Arena. LSU won the Regional and the two will make up a quarter of the Championships, which will be held April 18-20.

Arkansas had not made it to the Championships since 2018, before Jordyn Wieber became coach.

“This is what I came here to do, obviously,” Wieber said. “We wanted to get the program to this level. I believed in it every step of the way. First time in this format with only eight teams going to nationals. I’m really, really proud.”

Arkansas finished just ahead of third-place Kentucky (197.475) and Minnesota (197.4). Lauren Williams’ 9.925 score in the floor exercise was the clinching event. Frankie Price followed with a 9.9 to close things out and send the home crowd roaring.

No. 12 Gymbacks set all-time high for second time this season

Arkansas set a new high score on the balance beam, while also setting overall mark.

The No. 12 Arkansas gymnastics team continued it’s record-breaking season on Sunday, setting a new all-time high score in a win over No. 13 Missouri.

The Gymbacks (7-5-1, 4-2-1 SEC) posted a team score of 197.650 against the Tigers, topping the previous high score by just over a tenth of a point. Ironically, the previous top score was also set this season, 197.525, in a tie with Alabama on Jan. 19.

It was also the fifth time this season that Arkansas has posted a score over 197, matching the program’s single-season record.

It was the final regular-season SEC contest for the Gymbacks, as they finish with a conference record of  4-2-1, which is their most victories since 2016 and most under fifth-year Head Coach Jordyn Wieber.

Adding even more punch to the day, the Razorbacks also set a program-record on the balance beam, with a team score of 49.575. 

Five Gymbacks finished with at least a 9.9 on the beam, with junior Maddie Jones, freshman Hailey Klein and sophomore Cami Weaver, all tying for second-place with scores of 9.925. Missouri senior Sienna Schreiber claimed top honors with a perfect score of 10.0.

Sophomores Frankie Price and Lauren Williams came in a four-way tie for first on vault with 9.875 scores, while Jones claimed the bars crown with a season-high 9.925, and Williams also got a victory on floor with her 9.950.

Arkansas will next face the best team in the land, as back-to-back national champion, No. 1 Oklahoma comes to town for a dual meet on Sunday at Bud Walton Arena. The meet starts at 4 p.m., and will be aired live on SEC Network+.

No. 14 GymBacks make history, topple No. 6 Kentucky in the Barn

The Razorbacks outscored the Wildcats on three of the four events, as Frankie Price dominates again on the floor routine.

The No. 16 Arkansas gymnastics team made more history Friday night inside legendary Barnhill Arena, as the GymBacks defeated No. 6 Kentucky, 197.400-197.150.

It was the highest-ranked team Arkansas has ever defeated and the first regular-season win over Kentucky since 2016. It was also the Hogs’ fifth time this season scoring over 197, and tied their fourth-highest score ever.

The GymBacks (6-5-1, 3-2-1 SEC) outscored the Wildcats on three of the four apparatuses – uneven bars, vault and floor exercise – as four Razorbacks claimed at least a share on an event title. They also posted their best score ever on the floor routines, with a stellar 49.675, topping a score of 49.575, set in 2015.

Sophomores Cami Weaver and Lauren Williams excelled on the vault, tying for the event title with scores of 9.925. Junior Leah Smith put up a 9.900.

Junior Maddie Jones won the bars event with a score of 9.950, followed closely by senior Jensen Scalzo‘s 9.900.

Sophomore Frankie Price dominated on the floor exercise, yet again, putting up a nearly perfect score of 9.975, which tied her for the event title. That matches her career-high and ties her for the program record with former gymnasts Katherine Grable and Jaime Pisani. Although, Price has now done it twice. Jones and Williams also put on a show, each scoring a 9.950.

Sophomore Cally Swaney led the Hogs on the balance beam with a team-high 9.850, with Weaver and junior Kalyxta Gamiao turning in scores of 9.800.

Arkansas will now be off for over a week, before hitting the road to face No. 13 Missouri on March 3. The meet will begin at 5 p.m. and be broadcast on the SEC Network.

No. 16 Arkansas gymnasts turn in second-best score of the season

No. 16 Arkansas won the floor and vault events at the TWU Quad Meet, but finished second to No. 10 Alabama.

The No. 16 Arkansas gymnastics team shined bright Monday, turning it’s second-best team score of the season, to finish second in the Texas Women’s University Quad Meet in Denton.

The GymBacks (5-5-1, 2-2-1 SEC) put up a score of 197.375, slightly behind No. 10 Alabama’s 197.625. No. 19 Arizona ended up third with a 196.950, followed by TWU’s 195.725. It was the third time this season that Arkansas has posted scores over 197.

It is also the Razorbacks’ fifth-best team score ever, as the program’s top five all-time scores have now come in the last four seasons under Head Coach Jordyn Wieber.

The Razorbacks and Crimson Tide had already faced off in a dual meet in Tuscaloosa on Jan. 19, ending in a tie with identical scores of 197.525.

Arkansas was again outstanding on the floor exercise Monday, winning the event with a 49.575 team score, matching it’s highest finish of the season and the second-best all-time. The Razorbacks did not score lower than 49.200 in any of the four rotations.

The Hogs began the meet on the uneven bars, scoring a 49.300. Sophomore Reese Drotar posting a team-high 9.900, followed by fellow sophomore Jamie Pratt‘s 9.875.

After a tough day on the beam in Saturday’s Metroplex Challenge quad meet, Arkansas bounced back on Monday with a team score of 49.200. Freshman Hailey Klein performed a stellar routine, sticking the dismount, to win her first event title with a score of 9.925. Junior Kalyxta Gamiao tied for second, scoring her second-straight 9.900.

The dynamic sophomore duo of Lauren Williams and Frankie Price stole the show with two more stellar floor routines. They both finished in a three-way tie for the event title, with scores of  9.950. Junior Maddie Jones finished fourth with a 9.925.

The Gymbacks won the team title on vault, with a score of 49.300. as three Arkansas gymnasts finish tied for second place, individually. Klein, Williams and junior Leah Smith each stepped up with scores of 9.875.

After being on the road for the last three weeks, Arkansas will finally return home to Barnhill Arena on Friday, for a dual meet with No. 6 Kentucky. The event begins at 7:15 p.m. and will air live on the SEC Network.

No. 16 Arkansas gymnastics third in loaded Metroplex quad meet

The Arkansas Gymnastics team will return home to host No. 5 Kentucky on Friday.

With two separate quad meets slated for this weekend, the No. 16 Arkansas gymnastics opened with a third-place finish Saturday, in the Metroplex Challenge in Fort Worth.

Competing against a stack field that included the country’s top two teams, No. 1 Oklahoma and No. 2. Cal, the GymBacks put up a team score of 196.800, which was good enough to finish ahead of Washington’s 196.450.

The Sooners took high honors with a team score of 198.300, followed by the the Golden Bears’ 197.400, with

Arkansas (3-4-1, 2-2-1 SEC) began the night equaling its season-high on the uneven bars with a score of 49.400. Sophomore Reese Drotar and junior Maddie Jones led the Razorbacks, turning in solid routines with stuck dismounts to each score 9.900.

The Hogs stumbled a bit on the beam with a team score of 48.650, as junior Kalyxta Gamiao led Arkansas with a 9.875 on the event. The Razorbacks sat in fourth place after two events, but came up solid on the final two apparatuses to edge out Washington.

Sophomore Lauren Williams scored a 9.925 to earn a share of the event title on vault – her third of the season. Fellow sophomore Cami Weaver was close behind with a 9.875.

Sophomore Frankie Price rocked the floor exercise with a score of 9.950, which put her in a tie for the event title, also her third of the season. Williams turned in her second 9.925 in consecutive events

The Gymbacks will compete again in the Metroplex on Monday at 2 p.m. This time they will be in Denton for a quad meet with No. 9 Alabama, No. 17 Arizona, and host Texas Women’s.

The team will then return home to host No. 5 Kentucky on Friday at 7:15, inside legendary Barnhill Arena. It will be Equality Night and will air live on the SEC Network.

Gym’Backs tumble on the road, lose to another Top 10 team

Arkansas was able to tie for a pair of individual titles Friday night.

After beginning the season with three straight meet scores above 197, the No. 13 Arkansas gymnastics team has struggled a bit on the road the past two weeks – while facing two of the best programs in the country.

After falling at No. 3 LSU a week ago, the Gym’Backs were outpointed at No. 6 Florida on Friday night, 197.850-196.050.

In front of a rowdy home crowd of 8,823, the Gators outscored the Hogs on all four apparatuses. Arkansas did not register a score of 9.900 until midway through the meet, however, they did bounce back to secure a share of two individual event titles.

Sophomore Frankie Price tied on the floor exercise with an impressive 9.950 and junior Kalyxta Gamiao scored a stellar 9.925 on the beam, finishing in a three-way tie for first.

It was meet of the season aired on the ESPN Network, and the first time the Arkansas program has ever appeared on the flagship network, as a team.

Arkansas now has two meets within three days next week, beginning with the Metroplex Challenge in Fort Worth, where they will face Cal, Oklahoma and Washington on Feb. 17. Two days later, they will travel to Denton, Texas, to compete with Alabama, Arizona, and host Texas Woman’s University.

Arkansas gymnastics suffers first loss as LSU posts historic score

The Arkansas gymnastics team could not overcome LSU’s historic night.

It took No. 5 LSU’s highest team score ever, but the No. 7 Arkansas gymnastics team was defeated on Friday night for the first time this season, 198.475-196.200, in Baton Rouge.

After a slight struggle on the uneven bars to start things off, the Gymbacks (2-1-1) continued to get better as the meet progressed, scoring more than 49 points on the other three apparatuses – including a season-high 49.450 on the balance beam.

Freshman Priscilla Park continued to be the spark for Arkansas, making her second-ever all-around appearance with a score of 39.425, which was good enough for third place, overall. She shared the event title on beam with a stellar score of 9.975 – earning a perfect 10 from one judge – which was the best score by an Arkansas freshman on that event since 2018.

Sophomore Jaime Pratt stuck a double-layout dismount to earn a 9.850 on bars to pace the Gymbacks. Fellow sophomores Frankie Price and Lauren Williams then shared the team-high on vault with scores of 9.875.

Arkansas came into the event ranked second in the nation on floor exercise, and they did not disappoint. Williams led the charge with a 9.925, followed by Price and junior Maddie Jones, who each posted scores of 9.900.

The Gymbacks will continue this four-week stretch away from home, next week, with a trip to No. 8 Florida next Friday, before heading to Texas for a pair of tri-meets. Arkansas returns home on Feb. 23 to host No. 3 Kentucky.

No. 4 Arkansas gymnastics dazzles, tops Auburn with third straight 197

The Arkansas Gymbacks begins the season with third straight score above 197 in front of a capacity crowd

The No. 4 Arkansas gymnastics team continued to dazzle Friday night, defeating Auburn in front of a record-tying crowd at a sold-out Barnhill Arena.

The Gymbacks (2-0-1, 2-0-1 SEC) outscored the Tigers (1-5, 0-3 SEC) on bars and floor, soaring to a 197.225-196.675 victory, their first at home against Auburn since 2018. It was also the third straight meet with a score above 197, a feat they have reached only once before, in 2021, also under Head Coach Jordyn Wieber.

A capacity crowd of 7,147 was on hand, matching the program’s record inside Barnhill, set against LSU last season.

Eight Gymbacks posted top three finishes across all four events, which included a three-way tie for the bars title, with scores of 9.900 for junior Maddie Jones and sophomores Cally Swaney and Reese Drotar. Jones closed the event with a sensational, clutch routine, which ended with a stuck dismount, giving the Hogs a season-high 49.400 in the event.

Once again, the Arkansas floor party was the highlight of the show, with the scores growing as the event transpired. Junior Kalyxta Gamiao led off with a solid 9.850, followed by freshman Hailey Klein‘s career-high 9.875, and Jones’ 9.900, After junior Leah Smith posted a score of 9.825, sophomore Lauren Williams secured her second floor title of the year with a stellar 9.950. Sophomore Frankie Price finished the rotation with a 9.900, giving the Gymbacks a total score of 49.475, their second-highest mark on the apparatus this season.

Smith and Price posted team-highs of 9.875 on the vault, followed closely by sophomore Cami Weaver and junior Makie Sedlacek, with scores 9.850. On the beam, Gamiao and Jones paced Arkansas, each scoring 9.875.

Arkansas will now hit the road for the next four meets, beginning with trips to No. 3 LSU and No. 8 Florida the next two Friday nights. After competing in a couple of Texas tri-meets the following week, the Gymbacks will return home to host No. 7 Kentucky on Feb. 23, airing live on the SEC Network.