Gymnasts take program to new levels
Harold McIlvain II
Issue date: 4/20/09 Section: Sports
It was another dream come true for the No. 10 Arkansas Razorback gymnastics team.
After advancing to the Super Six championship round for the first time in school history, the Razorbacks finished with a program-best fifth place performance Friday at the NCAA Championships in Lincoln, Neb.
The Razorbacks eyed the goal throughout the year after finishing short of competing in the Super Six last year.
"The team believed from day one and has worked really hard since nationals last year," Arkansas co-head coach Rene Cook said. "They have worked really hard and have believed more than anything. We couldn't be more proud of each one of these girls because they believed even when the coaches weren't so sure."
Arkansas edged No. 4 LSU 196.475-196.375 to place fifth overall in the six-team field that also included Southeastern Conferences teams Georgia, Alabama and Florida.
"Our conference, especially the championship, prepares us for the postseason," Cook said. "We have not done well at the SEC Championships. But at the same time, it prepares us well for regionals and nationals. It's pretty cool that all the teams that advanced here advanced to the championships."
No. 1 Georgia won its 10th NCAA title with a 197.825 score, which secured a fifth straight national title for the Bulldogs during the final coaching year for Georgia head coach Suzanne Yoculan.
"This is such a special team," said Yoculan, who coached Georgia for 26 years. "Their oneness, their cohesiveness, their unity made it all so special. It's an honor for me to end my career as the coach of this team."
Arkansas opened the event on floor, where the team posted a 49.250 - the highest floor score in program history at the NCAA Championships.
Junior Sarah Nagashima started the event with a 9.800 and was followed by freshman Molly Lewis, who tied a career-best with a 9.825 performance. Junior Casey Jo Magee later followed with a team-high 9.900.
The Razorbacks then posted a 49.325 on vault in their second rotation with the help of Jamie Pisani and Michelle Stout, who both finished with 9.900s.
After advancing to the Super Six championship round for the first time in school history, the Razorbacks finished with a program-best fifth place performance Friday at the NCAA Championships in Lincoln, Neb.
The Razorbacks eyed the goal throughout the year after finishing short of competing in the Super Six last year.
"The team believed from day one and has worked really hard since nationals last year," Arkansas co-head coach Rene Cook said. "They have worked really hard and have believed more than anything. We couldn't be more proud of each one of these girls because they believed even when the coaches weren't so sure."
Arkansas edged No. 4 LSU 196.475-196.375 to place fifth overall in the six-team field that also included Southeastern Conferences teams Georgia, Alabama and Florida.
"Our conference, especially the championship, prepares us for the postseason," Cook said. "We have not done well at the SEC Championships. But at the same time, it prepares us well for regionals and nationals. It's pretty cool that all the teams that advanced here advanced to the championships."
No. 1 Georgia won its 10th NCAA title with a 197.825 score, which secured a fifth straight national title for the Bulldogs during the final coaching year for Georgia head coach Suzanne Yoculan.
"This is such a special team," said Yoculan, who coached Georgia for 26 years. "Their oneness, their cohesiveness, their unity made it all so special. It's an honor for me to end my career as the coach of this team."
Arkansas opened the event on floor, where the team posted a 49.250 - the highest floor score in program history at the NCAA Championships.
Junior Sarah Nagashima started the event with a 9.800 and was followed by freshman Molly Lewis, who tied a career-best with a 9.825 performance. Junior Casey Jo Magee later followed with a team-high 9.900.
The Razorbacks then posted a 49.325 on vault in their second rotation with the help of Jamie Pisani and Michelle Stout, who both finished with 9.900s.
Be the first to comment on this story