Kentucky Gymnastics sets records against Michigan State on Senior Night
No. 9 Kentucky Gymnastics defeated No. 12 Michigan State in historic fashion during Senior Night to wrap up the regular season.
The Wildcats honored four senior gymnasts on Friday night at Memorial Coliseum with a record-breaking evening for the program. Seniors Josie Angeny, Cally Nixon, Anna Haigis, and Arianna Patterson were honored in their final meet at Memorial Coliseum.
All four senior gymnasts marked above a score of 9.800 in their individual events, with Nixon being awarded a 10 by one judge on the bars with a high average of 9.950.
The Wildcats had a record-breaking night on the bars, scoring a 49.575 overall on the event, led by Nixon’s 9.950 as well as Angeny’s career-high of 9.950.
The night continued to be a positive one, with seniors leading the team to victory in all events. Haigis had a stunning 9.975 on floor, a high for both the season and her career, while Patterson also marked a career-high on the floor with a score of 9.850.
Efforts from seniors and stellar performances from the rest of the team were enough to mark Kentucky’s highest overall score in the history of the program. The Wildcats posted an overall score of 197.650, besting Michigan State’s 197.500.
The rest of the ‘Cats, including all-arounder Raena Worley, had a strong evening in addition to the seniors. Worley scored a 9.950 on bars and floor, and a 9.925 on beam and vault, resulting in an all-around score of 39.750 and her 12th title of the season.
Worley’s performance finishes her regular season as the third best all-around gymnast in the country, only behind Olympians Jade Carey (Oregon State) and Suni Lee (Auburn).
The meet was a close one from start to finish, something head coach Tim Garrison remarked would be “…great preparation for what is to come,” in postseason competition. Garrison was excited about his team’s prospects for the postseason and the regular season finish.
“Closing our home slate with a program record score and celebrating our seniors on the same night! That was special,” said Garrison.
The Wildcats will begin postseason competition next week in Birmingham, AL at the SEC Championships.
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