Gymbacks Host Gophers, Send Off Seniors from Bud Walton
The Hogs will close out the gymnastics regular season on the big stage as No. 16 Arkansas welcomes No. 19 Minnesota to Bud Walton Arena on Friday night.
Each team looks to end its season on a high note, and both are coming off wins. The Hogs took down the Georgia Bulldogs on the road and recorded their fourth 197+ score on the season, while the Gophers defeated Boise State in Minneapolis with a season high of 197.600.
Friday night’s meet will serve as the fourth annual Women’s Empowerment Night for the team as well as Senior Night. The Gymbacks will honor seniors Kiara Gianfagna, Madison Hickey, Kennedy Hambrick, Bailey Lovett and Norah Flatley along with senior managers Kyra McCracken and Claire Rogers in a post-meet ceremony.
The meet will be streamed live on SEC Network Plus.
Team intros begin at 6:45 p.m. from Bud Walton Arena with first vault set for 7 p.m. Doors will open at 5:30. It’s Arkansas’ second meet at Bud Walton Arena this season and third ever. In the Hogs’ last appearance at the Palace on Feb. 3, Razorback Nation set a new program attendance record of 11,031 strong.
Free public parking is available in lots 74A, 47W, 47N, 46, 56, 56D and 57 after 5 p.m. See parking map below and attached for more details. Tickets are still available online HERE or by phone (479-575-5151).
Last Time Out
Despite a change in venue and day, the No. 17 Gymbacks showed grace under pressure in their final SEC meet of the regular season and defeated the No. 18 Georgia Bulldogs 197.150-196.875. The team score was Arkansas’ fourth over 197 this year, which ties the program record for most in a season. Graduate transfer Norah Flatley claimed her second all-around title in her time at Arkansas with a score of 39.550, and she also tied for first on beam with a 9.925. The Gymbacks earned at least a share of first on three of four events, as redshirt freshman Cami Weaver tied Flatley on beam, freshman Lauren Williams claimed vault with a 9.850, and sophomore Maddie Jones ended in a three-way tie for first on bars with a 9.950 mark. The Hogs set a new season high of 49.475 on bars. Arkansas edged Georgia on vault and beam and tied the Bulldogs on bars.
Scouting the Series: Minnesota
- Arkansas is bookending its regular season with Big Ten opponents. The Hogs started the 2023 slate at Nebraska and end hosting Minnesota
- Friday is just the 11th meeting between the Gymbacks and Golden Gophers dating back to 2004, and the first in the regular season since 2019
- Arkansas holds the advantage in the all-time series, 6-4, but hasn’t defeated Minnesota since 2012. The Hogs currently outrank the Gophers on bars and beam, while Minnesota has the edge on vault and floor
Numbers to Know
Minnesota (NQS and ranking | Top ind. NQS)
- Vault: 49.315 (11th) | Mya Hooten, 9.910
- Bars: 49.280 (T-19th) | Mya Hooten, 9.905
- Beam: 48.875 (45th) | Gianna Gerdes, 9.835
- Floor: 49.430 (11th) | Mya Hooten, 9.970
- All-Around: 196.750 (19th) | Gianna Gerdes, 39.405
Arkansas
- VT: 49.270 (15th) | Lauren Williams, 9.875
- UB: 49.325 (15th) | Norah Flatley, 9.900
- BB: 49.250 (16th) | Norah Flatley, 9.905
- FX: 49.385 (17th) | Lauren Williams, 9.920
- AA: 197.000 (16th) | N/A
More Information
Visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com for the latest information on all things Arkansas Gymnastics. You can also find the Razorbacks on social media by liking us on Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Gymnastics) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@RazorbackGym).