No. 17 UGA registers season high to knock off No. 9 UK

ATHENS, Ga. —- The University of Georgia gymnastics team secured a home victory over the University of Kentucky, 197.225-196.575, on Saturday night at Stegeman Coliseum.

The meeting marked the highest score since the last home meeting against Kentucky on March 5, 2021.

Georgia defeated Kentucky in all four events of the meet with a total score of 197.225.

The Gymdogs posted two season-best event scores with a 49.250 on beam and a 49.225 on vault. Additionally, the Gymdogs won event titles for three events; Naya Howard earned a title on vault, Katie Finnegan earned a title on bars and Haley de Jong and Soraya Hawthorne shared honors on floor.

“We appreciate the crowd that came out twice this week,” Georgia head coach Courtney Kupets Carter said. “It just really continues the momentum that is going. I just think it’s fantastic that some freshmen, but also seniors who either match or take a new career height. We made really big improvements. , so it’s great to see them really doing things -little things that make a big difference. The excitement between them really helps build each other up, not just gymnastics, but the camaraderie as a team just pushes them forward. of course.”

The Gymdogs got off to a strong start on vault, where freshman Naya Howard led the rotation and earned a career high with a solid 9.900. Seniors Amanda Cashman and Soraya Hawthorne both vaulted to a 9.875. Overall, the team scored 49,225.

Continuing on bars, the team swung to a collective score of 49.325. Junior Katie Finnegan matched her career high with a 9.900. Graduate Josie Angeny and freshman JaFree Scott both received 9.875. Senior Haley de Jong finished the event with a score of 9.850.

The energy continued on beam, where the team posted an overall score of 49.250. Hawthorne shines with his performance, which earned a career-high 9,900. Howard scored a 9.875, and senior Vanessa Deniz followed with a 9.850.

The Gymdogs ended the floor competition with a combined score of 49.425. De Jong and Hawthorne both earned 9.925 for their performances. To finish the event, Cashman and Howard’s routine earned a 9.875.

Until Next Time

Georgia will travel to Gainesville, Florida to take on the University of Florida on January 27th at 6 pm ET.