The University of Kentucky gymnastics team brought the heat on Friday night, securing its third home win of the season against Eastern Michigan. With a final score of 197.125-193.575, the Wildcats dominated the competition and impressed the crowd with their incredible performances.
Senior Raena Worley shone in the all-around competition, earning her 17th career title and fifth season title of 2023. Her outstanding performances on the uneven bars and floor exercise earned her scores of 9.900 each, while her 9.875 on vault and 9.800 on balance beam added up to a total all-around score of 39.475.
The Wildcats started strong on vault, with senior Ashlyn LaClair setting a new season and career best with her score of 9.800. Sophomores Makenzie Wilson and Isabella Magnelli, along with Worley, also performed exceptionally, earning 9.875 each and leading the event with a total of 49.375.
Bars saw three UK gymnasts score 9.900 consecutively – Kaitlin DeGuzman, Shealyn Luksik, and Worley. This event proved to be the team’s highest scoring apparatus of the night. On balance beam, Luksik set a new season high with her 9.825 performance, while Bailey Bunn’s 9.925 tied her career best and equalized her season high.
To close out the night, the Wildcats took to the floor exercise, with Jillian Procasky leading the way with a career-tying high and new season best 9.850 performance. Arianna Patterson and Hailey Davis also impressed with their scores of 9.825 and 9.800, respectively.
Kentucky gymnastics will return home next Friday to face SEC opponent No. 16 Arkansas at 8:30 p.m. EST in Memorial Coliseum. Single-meet tickets for all home meets are now on sale through the UK Athletics Ticket Office, and UK students may attend for free with a valid student ID.