KENTUCKY GYMNASTICS UKathletics.com @UKgymnastics EXCITE NIGHT AT THE KENTUCKY CLASSIC Friday, Jan. 10, 2014 7 p.m. ET Memorial Coliseum Lexington, Ky. Video: UKathletics.com Live Stats: UKathletics.com KENTUCKY WILDCATS Record: 0-0, 0-0 SEC Ranking: 21 2012 High Score: 196.775 Head Coach: Tim Garrison BALL STATE CARDINALS Record: 1-0, 0-0 MAC Ranking: RV 2013 High Score: 189.00 Head Coach: Joanna Saleem PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS Record: 1-0, 0-0 Big Ten Ranking: 15 2013 High Score: 193.925 Head Coach: Jeff Thompson WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS Record: 0-0, 0-0 Big 12 Ranking: RV 2012 High Score: 196.55 Head Coach: Jason Butts 14 BY THE NUMBERS Number of letterwinners returning in 2014 from last year s squad. UK broke the school record for team score twice in 2013, including a 196.775 at Penn State in the regular season finale. 21 196.775 The Wildcats earned their highest preseason ranking in school history The gymnastics team was named the Team of the Year at the 2013 CATSPYs, UK s annual awards show recognizing athletic and academic performance. Tim Garrison and Shannon Mitchell were also honored at the ESPY spin-off event. 1 QUICK NOTES * hosts Excite Night at the Kentucky Classic in its season opener Friday night. The Wildcats welcome No. 15 Penn State, West Virginia and Ball State to Memorial Coliseum for the annual event. * Ranked 21st in the preseason coaches poll, the Wildcats face 10 top-25 teams in 2014 and four in the top five. Seven of the SEC s eight teams are ranked in the preseason poll, including No. 1 Florida and No. 2 Alabama. * UK has the toughest schedule in the country among top-25 teams, according to CollegeGymFans.com and the second-best strength of schedule according to RoadtoNationals.com. * The Wildcats beat Ball State and West Virginia and suffered a 0.55-point loss to Penn State, all on the road in 2013. The win over the Mountaineers came in the NCAA Regionals, where UK placed fourth and WVU fifth. * Head coach Tim Garrison begins his third season at Kentucky after leading UK to a record-setting 2013. The Wildcats won three SEC meets for the first time in school history and tallied a 3-3-1 league mark, also a program best. UK s best regular season score, regional qualifying score and NCAA Regional score were also broken during the 2013 campaign. 2014 SCHEDULE DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME Jan. 10 Excite Night at the Kentucky Classic: Ball State, Penn State, West Virginia MEMORIAL COLISEUM 7 p.m. Jan. 18 at Ozone Invite: vs. Alabama *, Nebraska Knoxville, Tenn. 8 p.m. Jan. 24 at Missouri * Columbia, Mo. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at Georgia * Athens, Ga. 4 p.m. Feb. 7 Florida * MEMORIAL COLISEUM 7 p.m. Feb. 15 at Metroplex Challenge: vs. Arizona, LSU *, Oklahoma Forth Worth, Texas 8 p.m. Feb. 21 at Arkansas * Fayetteville, Ark 8 p.m. Feb. 23 vs. Nebraska, Wisconsin-Stout & Bridgeport Lincoln, Neb. 3 p.m. Feb. 28 Auburn * MEMORIAL COLISEUM 7 p.m. March 7 California, Centenary MEMORIAL COLISEUM 7 p.m. March 14 at LSU * Baton Rouge, La. 8 p.m. March 22 SEC Championships Birmingham, Ala. TBA April 5 NCAA Regionals TBA TBA April 18-20 NCAA Championships Birmingham, Ala. TBA All times ET and subject to change Home meets in Bold, held at Memorial Coliseum * Denotes SEC Meet
QUICK FACTS UNIVERSITY Location: Lexington, Ky. Founded: 1865 Enrollment: 28,928 Nickname: Wildcats Colors: Blue (PMS 286) and White Conference: Southeastern Arena: Memorial Coliseum (8,500) President: Dr. Eli Capilouto (Alabama, 1971) Athletics Director: Mitch Barnhart (Ottawa, 1981) Senior Women s Administrator: Sandy Bell Faculty Representative: Joseph L. Fink III COACHING STAFF Head Coach: Tim Garrison (Third Season) Record as head coach: 14-15 (16-11-1 Regular Season) Record at UK: 14-15 (16-11-1 Regular Season) Assistant Coach: Chuck Dickerson (Seventh Season) Assistant Coach: Mary McDaniel (Third Season) Volunteer Coach: Rachel Garrison (Third Season) 2014 INFORMATION Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 14/2 Newcomers: Alyssa Bertoni, Kirsten Canini, Taylor Puryear 2013 REVIEW 2012 Record: 9-15-1 2012 Regional Finish: Fourth, 195.575 2012 Final Ranking: 21st GYMNASTICS HISTORY First Year: 1974 Highest Score: 196.775 (March 16, 2013 at Penn State) Postseason Appearances: 25 (every year since 2005) Best Postseason Finish: NCAA Regional third place, twice, last in 1996 Highest Regional Score: 195.575 (2013) Best SEC Championship Finish: Fourth (1996) Individual NCAA Titles: 8 (, 1993-95) Individual SEC Titles: 9 (, 1993-96) Last Postseason Appearance: 2013, fourth (195.575) at NCAA Regional 2014 ROSTER Name Height Events Class Hometown Alyssa Bertoni 5-5 All-Around FR Frederick, Md. Marissa Beucler 5-2.5 All-Around SO Findlay, Ohio Kirsten Canini 5-4 All-Around FR Caroll, Ohio Holly Cunningham 5-6 All-Around SR Colorado Springs, Colo. Alexis Gross 5-2 All-Around JR Pasadena, Md. Audrey Harrison 5-2 All-Around SR Knoxville, Tenn. Kayla Hartley 5-3 All-Around RS JR Versailles, Ky. Kenzie Hedges 5-3 All-Around JR Rowlett, Texas Shelby Hilton 5-2 All-Around JR St. Petersburg, Fla. Shannon Mitchell 5-4 All-Around JR Bethesda, Md. Tiara Phipps 5-6.5 All-Around SO San Antonio, Texas Taylor Puryear 5-2 All-Around FR Suitland, Md. Shannon Reynolds 5-7 All-Around JR Cypress, Texas Amy Roemmele 5-3 All-Around SO White Lake, Mich. Sara Shipley 5-6 All-Around JR Coral Springs, Fla. Kayla Sienkowski 5-1.5 All-Around SR Frederick, Md. Montana Whittle 5-9 All-Around SO Lincoln, Neb. Head Coach: Tim Garrison (Third Season) Assistant Coaches: Chuck Dickerson (Seventh Season), Mary McDaniel (Third Season) Volunteer Assistant Coach: Rachel Garrison (Third Season) Manager: Jordan Spring SUPPORT STAFF Assistant Athletics Director, Gymnastics Administrator: Heather McAtee Athletic Trainer: Jacob Smith Academic Advisor: Mike Haley Media Relations Director: Charlie Healy Event Manager: Jamie Legate Marketing Director: Alyx Ayer Meet Director: Cliff Tsuboi PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Marissa Beucler...Byou-Kler Amy Roemmele...Rom-UH-Lee Kayla Sienkowski...Sin-COW-ski Media Information All interview and credential requests should be submitted to Charlie Healy in the UK Media Relations office at Charlie.Healy@uky.edu. Interview requests during the week must be made at least 24 hours in advance. At home meets, interviews will be conducted on the court after a brief cooling off period. Ticket Information Season tickets for the 2014 season are $15 for reserved seating in Sections C through G. General admission seating is located in all other sections. Reserved tickets for single meets are $5.00 each, regardless of age. General admission tickets are $5.00 for adults, $2.00 for Seniors (65+) and Youth (6-18). Children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge. Tickets can be purchased by calling the ticket office at 1-800-928-2287. Tickets are also sold at the Joe Craft Center Ticket Office on the night of the event. Group tickets (20+ people) are available by calling the ticket office in advance of the event. Parking Information Parking will be available in all E-Lots (Employee Lots) surrounding Memorial Coliseum beginning 3 hours prior to the start of the meet. Additional parking will be available in Parking Structure #5 (adjacent to Kennedy s Bookstore), which is a 5-10 minute walk or a short shuttle ride over to the Coliseum. The PS#5 shuttle picks up/drops off on Administration Drive, at the end of the pedestrian sky bridge accessed from the 3rd floor of the parking garage. The shuttle will be available beginning at 5:30pm and will end 1 hour post-meet. Handicap parking is available in the E-Lot (Employee Lot) north of the Joe Craft Center, adjacent to the metered spaces, with a valid, stateissued handicap tag. These spaces are available on a first-come, first-serve basis until full. Please note that parking is prohibited in any R-Lot (Residential Lot). Vehicles parking in R-Lots without a proper permit, along yellow curbs, grass spaces or other non-specified and unapproved areas may be subject to ticket and/or tow. FOLLOWING THE WILDCATS: Kentucky gymnastics fans can get upto-the minute news, behind-the-scenes updates, photos, videos and more about the Wildcats by following the team online and through social media: Website www.ukathletics.com Facebook Facebook.com/UKgymnastics Twitter @UKgymnastics Instagram @UKgymnastics
2014 KENTUCKY WILDCATS Alyssa Bertoni Marissa Beucler Kirsten Canini Holly Cunningham Alexis Gross 5-5 All Around Fr. Frederick, Md. 5-2.5 All Around So. Findlay, Ohio 5-4 All Around Fr. Caroll, Ohio 5-6 All Around Sr. Colorado Springs, Colo. 5-2 All Around Jr. Pasadena, Md. Audrey Harrison Kayla Hartley Kenzie Hedges Shelby Hilton Shannon Mitchell 5-2 All Around Sr. Knoxville, Tenn. 5-3 All Around RS Jr. Versailles, Ky. 5-3 All Around Jr. Rowlett, Texas 5-2 All Around Jr. St. Petersburg, Fla. 5-4 All Around Jr. Bethesda, Md. Tiarra Phipps Taylor Puryear Shannon Reynolds Amy Roemmele Sara Shipley 5-6.5 All Around So. San Antonio, Texas 5-2 All Around Fr. Suitland, Md. 5-7 All Around Jr. Cypress, Texas 5-3 All Around So. White Lake, Mich. 5-6 All Around Jr. Coral Springs, Fla. Kayla Sienkowski Montana Whittle Tim Garrison Chuck Dickerson Mary McDaniel 5-1.5 All Around Sr, Frederick, Md. 5-9 All Around So. Lincoln, Neb. Head Coach Third Season Assistant Coach Seventh Season Assistant Coach Third Season 2014 University of Kentucky Gymnastics UKathletics.com @UKgymnastics
PRIMER: EXCITE NIGHT AT THE KENTUCKY CLASSIC The No. 21 University of Kentucky gymnastics team opens the 2014 season with Excite Night at the Kentucky Classic Friday at 7 p.m. ET in Memorial Coliseum. The Wildcats host No. 15 Penn State, West Virginia and Ball State in the annual event. Excite Night will be broadcast live on UKathletics.com and live results can be found on UKathletics. com. Updates will also be available on @UKgymnastics. Tickets, which will be available the night of the event, can also be purchased by calling 1-800-928-2287. Followers on Twitter (@UKgymnastics) and Facebook (UKgymnastics) can receive a coupon for four free tickets, which they can redeem at the ticket office by presenting the coupon either on their phone or printed out. UK is ranked No. 21 in the GymInfo Preseason Coaches Poll, its highest preseason ranking in program history. The Wildcats finished 21st in the national rankings last season and return 14 gymnasts from the 2013 squad that made their ninth consecutive NCAA berth. Kentucky broke the school record meet score with a 196.775 at Penn State and posted the program s highest-ever NCAA Regional team score of 195.575. Penn State is ranked 15th in the preseason poll, while both West Virginia and Ball State are receiving votes. Both PSU and WVU made the NCAA Regional in 2013. In the NCAA Morgantown Regional, the Wildcats finished fourth, ahead of the Mountaineers fifth-place finish. The Nittany Lions and Cardinals both opened their season last weekend with road wins over Iowa State and Illinois State, respectively. HEAD COACH TIM GARRISON ON EXCITE NIGHT It s the first meet of the year and we re obviously very excited about the opportunity to get out here and compete. We have been training, going on four months now, so the girls are kind of chomping at the bit to get going. We are definitely prepared and tomorrow we will find out how ready we are. I asked the athletes to develop an identity, not only for themselves, but for the fan base. I want them to be excited, even if someone has a slip-up here and there. I want that fan to come back because they saw that athlete and how they reacted after and anticipation for the next time knowing they are going to hit it. 2014 SCHEDULE NOTHING TO LAUGH AT With 10 top-25 teams on Kentucky s 2014 slate including four of the top five in the preseason coaches poll, the Wildcats face one of the most grueling schedules in the nation. Among top-25 teams, CollegeGymFans.com has tabbed UK s schedule as the toughest in the country, while RoadtoNationals.com the Blue and White s schedule as the second-best strength of schedule among all NCAA teams. Seven of the SEC s eight teams enter the season ranked nationally, with the eighth, Missouri, receiving votes. HIGHEST PRESEASON RANKING The Wildcats earned their highest preseason ranking in team history at 21st. In the GymInfo Preseason Coaches Poll, UK is one of seven SEC teams ranked nationally, led by top-ranked and defending national champion Florida and No. 2 Alabama. In 2012, head coach Tim Garrison s first season, the Wildcats were ranked 23rd while they were voted 25th last season. TENTATIVE LINEUP VAULT CAREER HIGH Audrey Harrison 9.900 Kayla Hartley 9.725 Shelby Hilton 9.875 Shannon Mitchell - Kenzie Hedges 9.875 Holly Cunningham 9.900 UNEVEN BARS CAREER HIGH Amy Roemmele 9.800 Montana Whittle - Kayla Sienkowski 9.800 Shelby Hilton 9.825 Kayla Hartley 9.875 Audrey Harrison 9.900 BALANCE BEAM CAREER HIGH Shannon Mitchell 9.900 Amy Roemmele - Shelby Hilton - Audrey Harrison 9.850 Marissa Beucler 9.825 Holly Cunningham 9.900 FLOOR CAREER HIGH Shelby Hilton 9.800 Shannon Mitchell 9.850 Kenzie Hedges 9.875 Audrey Harrison 9.900 Kayla Hartley 9.900 Taylor Puryear - ALL-AROUND CAREER HIGH Audrey Harrison 39.425 Shelby Hilton - INDIVIDUAL SEASON AND CAREER HIGHS 2014 SEASON HIGHS CAREER HIGHS VAULT BARS BEAM FLOOR AA VAULT BARS BEAM FLOOR AA Alyssa Bertoni - - - - - - - - - - Marissa Beucler - - - - - 9.725-9.825 9.725 - Kirsten Canini - - - - - - - - - - Holly Cunningham - - - - - 9.9-9.9 9.575 - Alexis Gross - - - - - 9.775 9.9 9.95 9.8 38.975 Audrey Harrison - - - - - 9.9 9.9 9.85 9.9 39.425 Kayla Hartley - - - - - 9.725 9.875-9.9 - Kenzie Hedges - - - - - 9.875-9.825 9.875 - Shelby Hilton - - - - - 9.875 9.825-9.8 - Shannon Mitchell - - - - - - 9.825 9.9 9.85 - Tiara Phipps - - - - - - - - 9.8 - Taylor Puryear - - - - - - - - - - Shannon Reynolds - - - - - - - - - - Amy Roemmele - - - - - - 9.8 - - - Sara Shipley - - - - - 9.85 9.85 9.825 9.0 - Kayla Sienkowski - - - - - - 9.8 9.875 9.85 - Montana Whittle - - - - - - - - - -
One of the toughest conferences in the nation, seven of the eight Southeastern Conference teams are ranked in the GymInfo preseason coaches poll. SEC teams have won 17 national titles, including the last three. Eight of the last nine NCAA crowns have been won by league teams, with Florida claiming its first championship in 2013. Standings Team SEC Overall High Florida 6-1 15-2 198.425 LSU 5-2 15-6 197.700 Alabama 4-2-1 13-3-1 197.800 Georgia 4-2-1 12-9-1 197.800 KENTUCKY 3-3-1 7-12-1 196.775 Auburn 3-4 9-11 197.175 Arkansas 1-5-1 8-12-1 197.100 Missouri 0-7 4-17 195.525 Weekly Award Winners January 14 January 21 January 28 February 4 February 11 February 18 February 25 March 4 March 11 March 18 THE SEC SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS Fifteenth-ranked Penn State is coached by 1985 Kentucky alum Jeff Thompson, in his fourth season as head coach. The Nittany Lions are coming off a 193.925-193.550 victory at Iowa State Sunday after finishing fourth at the NCAA Regionals and sixth in the Big Ten in 2013. In the win over the Cyclones, PSU notched wins on vault and floor along with an individual win on vault and a second-place showing from junior Randi Lau in the all-around. West Virginia is receiving votes in the coaches poll and will open its season at UK. The Mountaineers placed third at the Big 12 Championship and fifth at the NCAA Regional in 2013, just below Kentucky s fourth-place NCAA finish in Morgantown, W.Va. Jason Butts begins his third season as head coach. Ball State, receiving votes in the preseason coaches poll, is under the direction of first-year head coach Joanna Saleem. The Cardinals, who finished seventh at the 2013 MAC Championship, opened the season Saturday with a 189.00-188.95 win at Illinois State. BSU tallied wins on vault, beam and floor and claimed an individual title on vault. UP NEXT: OZONE INVITE The Wildcats hit the road for the second week of the season when they travel to Knoxville, Tenn., for the Ozone Invite Jan. 18. UK will compete against No. 2 Alabama and No. 10 Nebraska in the neutral-site event at 8 p.m. ET. RETURNING STARPOWER UK returns 14 letterwinners from the recordsetting 2013 team and lost just two. Among the returners are seniors Holly Cunningham, Audrey Harrison and Kayla Sienkowski along with redshirt junior Kayla Hartley. Harrison returns after winning a league-leading six all-around titles in SEC competition last year. The Wildcats welcome three freshmen, Alyssa Bertoni, Kirsten Canini and Taylor Puryear to the team in 2014. SEC S ALL-AROUND LEADER IS BACK Senior Audrey Harrison is coming off a recordsetting 2013 season. One of the most consistent competitors in the nation last season, the Knoxville, Tenn., native tallied a league-leading six all-around titles in SEC meets and totaled seven in all competitions. Harrison scored a career-high score of 39.425 at Ball State and also won all-around titles against then-no. 13 Auburn, No. 9 Arkansas, No. 6 LSU, No. 6 Georgia and No. 1 Florida. NATIONAL RANKINGS GYMINFO TOP 25 Preseason Coaches Poll Rank Team (1st Place Votes) Votes 1 Florida (21) 755 2 Alabama 739 3 Oklahoma (7) 728 4 UCLA (1) 648 5 LSU 636 6 Utah (2) 596 7 Michigan 570 8 Georgia 552 9 Stanford 508 10 Nebraska 472 11 Arkansas 440 12 Oregon State 438 13 Auburn 426 14 Minnesota 360 15 Penn State 251 16 Illinois 236 17 Arizona 224 18 Denver 220 19 Ohio State 209 20 Washington 201 21 KENTUCKY 198 22 California 152 23 Boise State 135 24 Maryland 103 25 Arizona State 74 Others Receiving Votes: Iowa State, North Carolina State, West Virginia, Missouri, Central Michigan, Kent State, Iowa, Ball State, Southern Utah, Michigan State, George Washington, North Carolina, Western Michigan, UC Davis Teams UK has or could compete against listed in bold UK WEEK-BY-WEEK Week Team Vault Bars Beam Floor PRE 21 - - - - 1/13 - - - - - 1/20 - - - - - 1/27 - - - - - 2/3 - - - - - 2/10 - - - - - 2/17 - - - - - 2/24 - - - - - 3/3 - - - - - 3/10 - - - - - 3/17 - - - - - 3/24 - - - - -
A LOOK BACK AT A RECORD-SETTING 2013 Kentucky is coming off a record-setting 2013 campaign that saw numerous school records fall. UK earned a ninth-consecutive NCAA Regional bid with a school-record regional qualifying score of 196.06 after breaking the team best score twice. A 196.775 in the regular season finale at Penn State bested the previous high score, set earlier in the season at Ball State. The Wildcats notched three wins against SEC opponents, the most in program history and earned a 3-3-1 league mark, also a school best. All three wins were against teams ranked in the top 15, with two over top-nine foes. In postseason play, UK tallied the program s highest-ever NCAA Regional team score of 195.575 and finished fourth at the regional. WINNING BIG AT THE CATSPY AWARDS The Kentucky gymnastics team wrapped up a historic 2013 season by claiming the prestigious Team of the Year Award at the annual CATSPY Awards along with two individual awards. Tim Garrison was named Coach of the Year alongside baseball coach Gary Henderson and rifle coach Harry Mullins, while sophomore Shannon Mitchell picked up the Scratch Award, given to the top non-scholarship student-athlete. The 11th-annual CATSPYs recognized UK s athletic and academic performance during the year. A spin-off of the popular ESPY Awards held each year by ESPN, the CATSPYS feature 24 individual and team honors, chosen from UK s 22 varsity sports. SEC DOMINANCE Across all sports the Southeastern Conference is one of the toughest in the country, and gymnastics is certainly no exception. With seven of the SEC s eight teams ranked in the top 25, including four in the top five, the league is primed for another season of elite competition. SEC schools have won eight of the last nine NCAA Championships, including the last three, but the league s dominance is nothing new. Seventeen national titles have been won by SEC schools since the inaugural NCAA Championship in 1982. Florida captured the program s first NCAA Championship last season to join Alabama and Georgia. Four SEC teams advanced to the Super Six at last season s NCAA Championships. The SEC has placed at least two teams among the top six in 30 of the possible 32 NCAA Championship events. A record five SEC teams advanced to the NCAA Super Six team final in 2009. The SEC also leads all conferences in NCAA individual titles (92). CATS ON TV National Television Kentucky will appear on five nationally televised broadcasts during the 2014 season. A total of 21 SEC gymnastics meets will be broadcast in addition to the SEC Championship, all on a delayed basis. The SEC Championship on March 22 will air on ESPNU on March 27 at 5:30 p.m. ET and again on ESPN2 at 11 a.m. on March 29. UK s contest at Georgia on Jan. 31 will air on Fox Sports Net on February 7. Florida, the defending NCAA and SEC Champions, come to Lexington on Feb. 7, which will be broadcast by FSN on Feb. 15. Kentucky s meet at Arkansas on Feb. 21 will also air on FSN, on March 1. The times for all eight of FSN s SEC gymnastics broadcasts will be announced at a later date. The Wildcats will appear on CSS (Comcast/ Charter Sports Southeast) once. Jan. 18 s tri-meet, against Alabama and Nebraska in Knoxville, Tenn., will be broadcast on Jan. 24, with a time to be announced. TV Schedule Air Meet Date Date, Time Network Ozone Invite 1/18 1/24, 9pm CSS Georgia 1/31 2/8, 11am FSN Florida 2/7 2/15, 3pm FSN Arkansas 2/21 3/1, 2pm FSN SEC Champ. 3/22 3/27, 5:30 pm ESPNU 3/29, 11 am ESPN2 Live Video In addition to five meets broadcast on national television, a live video stream will be available on UKathletics.com for most home meets. The live stream will bring fans inside Memorial Coliseum even if they can t be there to cheer on the Blue and White in person.
TEAM SCORES 2014 MEET-BY-MEET RESULTS Overall: 0-0 Home: 0-0 Away: 0-0 Neutral: 0-0 SEC: 0-0 Average: - Season High: - Vault Hight: - Bars High: - Beam High: - Floor High: - UK S INDIVIDUAL LEADERS Excite Night (Jan. 10, 2014) Overall Vault Bars Beam Floor Vault Bars Beam Floor All-Around No. 15 Penn State Ball State West Virginia at Ozone Invite (Jan. 18, 2014) Overall Vault Bars Beam Floor Vault Bars Beam Floor All-Around No. 2 Alabama No. 10 Nebraska at Missouri (Jan. 24, 2014) Overall Vault Bars Beam Floor Vault Bars Beam Floor All-Around Missouri at Georgia (Feb. 1, 2014) Overall Vault Bars Beam Floor Vault Bars Beam Floor All-Around No. 8 Georgia Florida (Feb. 7, 2014) Overall Vault Bars Beam Floor Vault Bars Beam Floor All-Around No. 1 Florida at Metroplex Challenge (Feb. 15) Overall Vault Bars Beam Floor Vault Bars Beam Floor All-Around No. 3 Oklahoma No. 5 LSU No. 17 Arizona at Arkansas (Feb. 21, 2014) Overall Vault Bars Beam Floor Vault Bars Beam Floor All-Around No. 11 Arkansas at Nebraska (Feb. 21, 2014) Overall Vault Bars Beam Floor Vault Bars Beam Floor All-Around No. 10 Nebraska Wisconsin-Stout Bridgeport Auburn (Feb. 28, 2014) Overall Vault Bars Beam Floor Vault Bars Beam Floor All-Around No. 13 Auburn California, Centenary (March 7) Overall Vault Bars Beam Floor Vault Bars Beam Floor All-Around No. 22 California Centenary at LSU (March 14, 2014) Overall Vault Bars Beam Floor Vault Bars Beam Floor All-Around No. 5 LSU at SEC Championships (March 22) Overall Vault Bars Beam Floor Vault Bars Beam Floor All-Around No. 1 Florida No. 2 Alabama No. 5 LSU No. 8 Georgia No. 11 Arkansas No. 13 Auburn Missouri NCAA Regionals (April 5, 2014) Overall Vault Bars Beam Floor Vault Bars Beam Floor All-Around Sites and teams TBA
HEAD COACH TIM GARRISON Tim Garrison enters his third season as the University of Kentucky gymnastics head coach after leading the team to unprecedented success in his first two seasons. Kentucky is coming off a record-setting 2013 campaign that saw numerous school records fall. UK earned a ninth-consecutive NCAA Regional bid with a school-record regional qualifying score of 196.06 after breaking the team best score twice. A 196.775 in the regular season finale at Penn State bested the previous high score, set earlier in the season at Ball State. The Wildcats notched three wins against SEC opponents, the most in program history and earned a 3-3-1 league mark, also a school best. All three wins were against teams ranked in the top 15, with two over top-nine foes. In postseason play, UK tallied the program s highest-ever NCAA Regional team score of 195.575 and finished fourth at the regional. The Kentucky gymnastics team wrapped up a historic 2013 season by claiming the prestigious Team of the Year Award at the annual CATSPY Awards along with two individual awards. Garrison was named Coach of the Year alongside baseball coach Gary Henderson and rifle coach Harry Mullins, while sophomore Shannon Mitchell picked up the Scratch Award, given to the top non-scholarship student-athlete. The Wildcats finished 2012 with three consecutive scores of 195.875 or higher, Kentucky s best-ever three meet stretch. UK also sealed the first winning regular season since 2008 in Garrison s first campaign. Garrison guided the Wildcats to a final No. 25 ranking with a National Qualifying Score of 390.240 in 2012. The ranking made Garrison the first head coach in school history to take his team to a top-25 final ranking in his first season. The Wildcats earned back-to-back victories over top-25 teams when UK took down Southeastern Conference foe Auburn at home and highly ranked Illinois on the road midway through the season. The Wildcats also posted just the 10th score of 196 or higher in school history with a 196.025 against George Washington and Ball State during Garrison s inaugural season. Garrison arrived at UK after helping the Huskers reach new heights with two NCAA Super Six appearances and two Big 12 Conference championships. The native of Conroe, Texas, served as the Huskers vault, floor exercise and strength and conditioning coach, while also helping in all facets of recruiting. In his five years at Nebraska, Garrison was responsible for producing 10 NCAA All-Americans, while his vault and floor teams consistently ranked as one of the top-10 teams in the nation. In 2011, Garrison helped lead the Huskers back to the NCAA Super Six Finals, where they matched their best finish in school history, finishing fourth. Two of Garrison s vault performers ended the individual finals in the top five, while two other gymnasts were in the top 12 on floor. In his first year on the job in Lincoln in 2007, Garrison s vault team finished sixth in the nation, while the floor squad was in the top five of the final rankings. In 2009, Nebraska was ranked sixth nationally on floor and in 2010 the Huskers were fifth on vault. Garrison s vault and floor teams had an excellent season in 2011 with the Huskers finishing among the nation s best on vault (third) and floor (seventh). Nebraska made the NCAA Tournament in each of Garrison s five years, advancing to nationals three times. Prior to Nebraska, Garrison developed a reputation as one of the most successful club coaches in the country, serving as a head coach for SCEGA Gymnastics in Temecula, Calif., for 10 years. SCEGA Gymnastics is one of the largest and most thriving gymnastics teams in the nation. While with SCEGA, Garrison produced 27 national champions, 10 Junior Olympic National Team members and four Elite National Team members. For his efforts, Garrison was named Coach of the Year for Southern California by USA Gymnastics a impressive five times, including four consecutive from 2001-04. In 2001, Garrison coached Rachel Tidd to the World Championships in Ghent, Belgium, where she captured a team bronze medal and finished eighth on beam. A year earlier, Garrison coached Tidd to a 10th-place showing in the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials. Garrison spent three years at SCATS Gymnastics in Huntington Beach, Calif., where he was responsible for conditioning and meet preparation for a group of optional and compulsory gymnasts. During his time there, Garrison produced a national qualifier every year at both the Junior Olympic National Championships and the Elite Classic competitions. Garrison also coached at Karolyi s Gymnastics in Houston, Texas, alongside famed former U.S. Olympic Team coach Bela Karolyi. Garrison and his wife, Rachel, served as the directors for the Nebraska School of Gymnastics during their time in Lincoln. The duo successfully increased the enrollment in the program from 40 participants to over 170 members. Garrison also was named the USAG Coach of the Year in 2009 for Nebraska. Garrison graduated from California State University at Fullerton in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. The Garrisons have three daughters: Rayley, Taige and Teagan; and one son: Reece. THE GARRISON FILE Personal Birth Date: Aug. 5, 1970 Hometown: Conroe, Texas Family: Rachel (wife); Rayley (14), Taige (9), Teagan (8), Reece (1) and Rylan (4 months) Parents: David and Lora Garrison Date Hired at UK: April 28, 2011 Education High School: Oak Ridge High School (Conroe, Texas) College: California State University at Fullerton, B.S., Physical Education, 1995 Collegiate Coaching Career 2011-Current: Kentucky Head Coach 2006-11: Nebraska Assistant Coach 1992-94: Cal State Fullerton Assistant Coach Club Coaching Career 2006-11: Nebraska School of Gymnastics (Lincoln, Neb.) 1996-06: SCEGA Gymnastics (Temecula, Calif.) 1994-96: SCATS Gymnastics (Huntington Beach, Calif.) Notables - Responsible for producing 10 NCAA All-Americans at Nebraska - Helped lead Nebraska to the NCAA Tournament every season, including two Super Six appearances and two Big 12 Championships - Was a five-time USA Gymnastics Coach of the Year for Southern California (1999, 2001, 02, 03, 04) while at SCEGA Gymnastics where he produced 27 national champions, 10 Junior Olympic National Team members and four Elite National Team members - Was a personal coach at the 2000 Olympic trials in Boston, Mass., and 2011 World Championships in Ghent, Belgium - USA Gymnastics Coach of the Year in 2009 for Nebraska (club)
ASSISTANT COACH CHUCK DICKERSON SEVENTH SEASON ASSISTANT COACH MARY MCDANIEL THIRD SEASON Chuck Dickerson enters his seventh year with the Kentucky gymnastics program as a key compenent of head coach Tim Garrison s staff. Dickerson was retained as an assistant coach when Garrison arrived in Lexington before the 2012 season. Dickerson, who was the 2010 Gymnastics Assistant Coach of the Year for the central region by the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches, has enjoyed five very successful seasons as an assistant coach for Kentucky. Dickerson helped the program begin a resurgence on floor under the new coaching staff in 2012. UK defeated four consecutive opponents on the event. In addition, Hartley and Harrison combined to win six straight floor titles at the regular seasons conclusion. Dickerson coached previously coached vault and uneven bars for the Wildcats, guiding UK to a school-record team score on vault of 49.4, while the Wildcats tied a school record team-score on bars with a 49.325. Dickerson helped the UK gymnastics team steadily improve its efforts on the vault apparatus since his arrival in Lexington in 2008. Kentucky has ranked among the top 18 schools on the event each season under Dickerson. The Wildcats set a school record with a 49.150 regional qualifying score on vault in 2009 while in 2010 thensophomore Whitney Rose (Frisco, Texas) became UK s first gymnast to qualify for nationals since 2006 when she scored a 9.900 to tie for first place. In 2009, Dickerson coached the vault squad to top-20 status all year long, peaking at No. 7. It was the second year in a row the vault line-up finished the year top 15. One of the lead vaulters, Emily Green, earned a 9.950, the first mark of that caliber on vault since 2003. Green dominated the event averaging a 9.85. Also grabbing recognition for her talent was Whitney Rose who also becamea solid vault worker and was named the SEC Freshman of the Year. With over 25 years of coaching experience, Dickerson is able to assist the Wildcats in recruiting top talent. In 2008, Dickerson helped sign fellow Tyler, Texas, native Storey Morris, Rose of Frisco, Texas, the 2008 Texas State vault and all-around champion, and three-time national bar champion Jennifer Taylor of Tulsa, Okla. Since 2004, the Tyler, Texas, native had been working in his hometown at Texas East Gymnastics where he coached former UK gymnast, Storey Morris. In both 2006 and 2007, he qualified a gymnast for the USA Championships to go along with his numerous national qualifiers in his four-year span. Prior to his time at Texas East, Dickerson spent eight years at Rowland/Ballard Gymnastics in Kingwood, Texas. While there, he had seven athletes receive Division I scholarships and sent 15 on to the national championships. In 2002, he earned the great honor of being voted the Texas USA Gymnastics Coach of the Year by his peers. Early on in his career, Dickerson spent 10 years working under famed coach Bela Karolyi. In his coaching career, he has coached three national champions. Dickerson resides in Lexington. Mary McDaniel enters her third season as an assistant coach at Kentucky after enjoying a great debut campaign in 2012. McDaniel, who was hired on July 11, 2011 oversees Kentucky s efforts on balance beam as well as coordinating dance routines for floor exercise. Beam proved to be one of Kentucky s best and most consistent events as a team in 2012. The Wildcats ranked in the top 20 on the event for much of 2012. The team notched three of the top-15 scores in school history on the event last season. McDaniel helped senior Storey Morris close out her career in style as she nearly broke a career-best score with a9.85 ather final meet, the 2012 NCAA Regional. On floor in 2012, UK defeated four consecutive opponents on the event. In addition, Hartley and Harrison combined to win six straight floor titles at the regular seasons conclusion. McDaniel came to UK after a successful 20-year stint as a club coach in Kansas, helping countless young gymnasts fulfill their dreams in collegiate athletics. McDaniel spent time at McCracken s Gymnastics and Swim in Olathe, Kan., before arriving in Lexington. She held countless titles there, including head coach and meet director since 1991. While in Olathe, McDaniel was directly responsible for all aspects of McCracken s team program, including personally training and coaching all level nine and 10 gymnasts and helping design routines, practice schedules and performance requirements. Over her 20-plus years of coaching club, McDaniel has coached numerous athletes to USA Gymnastics Western Nationals and level 10 USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic Nationals. McDaniel has also coached numerous athletes to state and regional championships, while helping a large handful of gymnasts to Division I programs across the nation. While coaching at McCracken s Gymnastics, McDaniel spent 15 years as a member of the USA Gymnastics Kansas State Administrative Committee, helping organize state clinics and other gymnastics activities around the state. McDaniel began coaching in 1987 as a level four and five beam and floor coach at McCracken s Gymnastics before moving to Gym Country Gymnastics in Tulsa, Okla., where she served as the beam and floor coach for a year. McDaniel moved back to McCracken Gymnastics in 1991 to begin her successful 20-year post as office manager, meet director and head coach. The native of Olathe graduated from the University of Kansas in 1994 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration with a concentration in exercise science. Mary is married to Ken McDaniel and the couple has one daughter, Isabelle, 6.
Team Vault 49.4 at Ohio State 2/20/11 49.325 vs. BYU 1/31/03 vs. Florida 3/1/96 49.300 at Lady Luck Invitational 1/15/10 at Texas Woman s Univ. 3/15/02 vs. GW/Radford 3/9/96 49.275 at Arizona State 3/21/03 at Auburn 3/12/99 49.250 at NCAA Central Region 4/4/09 49.225 at SEC Championship 3/21/09 at Alaska-Anchorage 3/15/09 vs. LSU 1/23/09 vs. New Hampshire 1/25/02 vs. LSU 3/15/97 49.200 at Auburn 2/4/11 at. Ohio State/W.Va./GWU 3/4/07 vs. Georgia/Illinois 2/14/97 49.175 at Penn State 3/13/13 vs. TWU/SEMO/BGSU 3/10/07 49.150 Nine times last 3/3/13 49.125 at Centenary 3/17/12 at Illinois 3/2/12 at Kent State 3/5/10 at Alabama 2/26/10 at Centenary 3/16/08 at TWU/Utah State/Centenary 3/14/08 vs. SE Missouri St./Illinois St. 1/14/06 at SEC Championships 3/29/96 49.100 Four times (Last vs. BGSU) 3/8/13 Team Uneven Bars 49.325 vs. GW/BGSU 3/4/11 vs. Florida 3/1/96 49.300 at Texas Woman s U. 3/15/02 vs. Ball State 2/15/02 49.225 vs. Alabama 2/10/96 49.200 vs. Towson State 2/24/95 49.175 vs. Auburn 2/22/02 49.150 at Ball State 3/3/13 vs. Ball State/GWU 3/11/12 at Kent State 3/5/10 at C. Michigan/Rhode Island 3/12/06 vs. Alabama 2/13/04 49.125 at Auburn/Pittsburgh 2/24/12 vs. Ohio State 2/19/10 vs. Alabama 3/8/02 49.100 at Penn State 3/13/13 at Ball State 3/3/13 vs. Utah State 1/11/09 at Centenary 3/16/08 vs. GW/Radford 3/9/96 49.075 at George Washington 3/12/05 Team Balance Beam 49.475 at Penn State 3/13/13 49.350 at Arkansas 2/24/06 at Alabama 2/24/01 49.300 at Alaska-Anchorage 3/13/09 49.225 vs. Arizona/WMU 3/7/08 49.150 vs. Florida 2/22/13 49.125 vs. BGSU 3/8/13 at Ohio State 3/9/08 at Arkansas 2/15/08 49.100 at Ball State 3/3/13 at Alaska-Anchorage 3/15/09 at Bowling Green State 3/22/08 49.050 at SEC Championships 3/29/96 49.000 vs. Arkansas 1/18/13 vs. Ball State/GWU at TWU/SEMO/BGSU 3/10/07 vs. Bowling Green 1/8/05 48.975 Four times (Last vs. LSU) 2/1/13 Team Floor Exercise 49.450 vs. George Washington 1/30/98 49.350 vs. Florida 1/22/10 vs. Ball State 3/05/04 49.325 vs. Ohio State 2/19/10 at TWU/Utah State/Centenary 3/14/08 49.300 at Arizona/Penn St./TWU 3/16/07 at LSU 3/1/02 at SEC Championships 3/23/01 49.275 vs. Alabama 2/26/10 vs. Arizona/WMU 3/7/08 49.250 four times 49.225 vs. Florida 3/17/06 vs. Auburn 2/22/02 2014 KENTUCKY GYMNASTICS RECORD BOOK 49.200 vs. Auburn/Pittsburgh 2/24/12 NCAA Regional 4/10/10 vs. LSU 1/23/09 at Nebraska 3/23/07 at NCAA Central Regional 4/7/06 vs. Ohio State 1/5/02 vs. Illinois 2/10/01 49.175 at Georgia 2/23/08 at Ore. St./Wash./Boise St./Seattle Pacific 3/17/06 49.150 six times last 2/11/12 Team Score 196.775 at Penn State 3/13/13 196.500 at Ball State 3/3/13 196.375 vs. BGSU 3/8/13 at Texas Woman s U. 3/15/02 196.225 at Alaska-Anchorage 3/13/09 196.250 at Arkansas 2/24/06 196.200 at TWU/SEMO/BGSU 3/10/07 196.100 at Ore. St./Wash./Boise St./Seattle Pacific 3/17/06 vs. Ball State 2/15/02 196.050 at Kent State 3/5/10 196.075 at Florida 2/22/13 196.025 vs. Ball State/GWU 3/11/12. vs. Michigan State/CMU 3/4/05 196.000 vs. Auburn 2/22/02 195.975 at Centenary 3/16/08 195.925 vs. Arizona/WMU 2/29/08 195.875 vs. Centenary 3/17/12 vs. Illinois 2/10/01 vs. GW/Radford 3/9/96 195.850 vs. Ohio State 2/19/10 at Alaska-Anchorage 3/15/09 at SEC Championships 3/23/01 195.825 vs. Georgia 3/8/13 vs. BGSU/CMU/Pitt 3/9/01 at Alabama 2/24/01 195.675 vs. Towson State 2/24/95 195.650 vs. GW/BGSU 3/4/11 vs. Alabama 2/26/10 195.600 at Arizona/Penn St/TWU 3/16/07 195.575 vs. LSU 2/25/11 195.550 at Georgia 2/5/2010 vs. Florida 2/17/06 vs. LSU 2/18/05 195.525 Four times last 2/24/12 Individual Vault 10.0 21 times 9.975 Jennifer Simmons 3/12/99 four times Shawnte Hall three times 9.950 Phylicia Reshard 2/20/11 Emily Green 3/13/09 Aronda Primault 1/31/03 11 times 9.925 Whitney Rose three times, last 1/29/10 Emily Green 3/14/08 Emilie Rymer 3/10/07 Lyndsay Cameron 2/20/04 Melanie Zaharias four times seven times 9.900 Audrey Harrison 3/8/13 Holly Cunninham 3/8/13 Whitney Rose seven times, last 1/28/11 Emily Green four times, last 1/23/09 Jasmine Minion, last 2/18/11 Hillary Ferguson on 2008 Emilie Rymer 3/4/07 Melanie Zaharias J. Simmons 3/16/01 Krissy Hoeferlin 3/12/99 Shawnte Hall 3/9/96 Jennifer Van Outer 3/5/96 eight times seven times Aronda Primault four times Julia Gore Individual Uneven Bars 9.975 9.950 Julia Gore 3/14/03 9.925 Michelle Gales 3/12/04 Julia Gore Jessie Lemp 2/22/02 Julie Joy 2/15/02 Robin Ewing 3/1/96 9.900 Alexis Gross 3/13/13 Audrey Harrison three times, last 2/15/13 Storey Morris Twice. last 2/24/12 Andrea Mitchell 3/4/11 Natalie Rubinstein wo times, last 3/15/09 Alison Sarucci 2/27/04 Jessie Lemp 3/15/02 Julia Gore 3/8/02 Katie Toups 3/3/00 Robin Ewing 1/10/97 12 times three times Julie Joy three times Individual Balance Beam 10.0 4/22/95 9.975 4/23/94 9.950 Alexis Gross 3/13/13 Heather Hite 3/10/07 five times 9.925 Heather Hite three times, last 3/13/09 Kristen O Shields 2/24/06 Aronda Primault 2/15/02 Mindy Smith 2/24/01 Melanie Zaharias 2/24/01 9.900 Shannon Mitchell 3/13/13 Holly Cunningham 3/13/13 Bridget Carreiro 3/15/09 Heather Hite seven times, last 3/15/09 Emily Green 3/9/08 Madison Snowden 2/29/08 Michelle Gales 3/14/03 Robin Ewing 3/23/96 six times Mindy Smith Individual Floor Exercise 10.0 six times 9.975 9.950 Andrea Mitchell, last 3/4/11 Emily Green 1/22/10 Heather Hite 3/16/07 Julie Joy 3/05/04 Mila Chitwood 1/30/98 seven times Michelle Gales four times 9.925 Jasmine Minion 1/8/11 Heather Hite 2/6/09 Hillary Ferguson three times Melanie Zaharias 1/31/03 Julia Gore 3/1/02 Aronda Primault 1/5/02 Mila Chitwood 4/5/97 five times Michelle Gales five times 9.900 Audrey Harrison Twice, last 2/8/13 Kayla Hartley Three times, last 3/23/13 Hillary Ferguson six times, last 3/5/10 Emily Green five times, last 3/12/10 Jasmine Minion twice, last 2/18/11 Heather Hite seven times, last1/23/09 Julie Joy 3/9/01 Mila Chitwood 1/29/99 Robin Ewing 3/3/96 Jennifer Van Outer 3/5/93 Michelle Gales Aronda Primault Krissy Hoeferlin Mindy Smith ten times seven times six times Individual All-Around 39.875 39.800 4/20/95 39.775 2/18/95 39.750 3/5/93 39.700 3/1/96 39.650 3/9/96 39.550 Andrea Mitchell 3/4/11 Current gymnasts marks in bold. Record set last year in bold.