No. 12 Kentucky gymnastics put on a solid performance in their latest match against No. 2 Florida, but ultimately fell 197.575-198.150 on Friday night at the Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Despite the loss, the Wildcats set a new record for their highest overall road meet tally in the 2023 season with a score of 197.575.
The Wildcats began the night on the uneven bars and totaled 49.200 with strong performances from Hailey Davis and Raena Worley, who both scored a 9.825. Senior Shealyn Luksik was the top scorer of the event, earning a 9.900 from the judges. Bailey Bunn received a 9.850 for her routine, while Annie Riegert was awarded a 9.800.
On vault, Kentucky set the second highest overall tally in program history with a score of 49.475. Worley and Isabella Magnelli led the pack on the scoreboard with a score of 9.950, while Magnelli’s high score set a new career and season best. Arianna Patterson received a score of 9.925, while Bridget Bourque and Ashlyn LaClair earned a 9.850 and 9.800, respectively.
The Wildcats then tallied a score of 49.500 on the floor exercise, with Worley receiving a score of 9.950 to anchor the apparatus. Her high score placed her second overall on the floor leaderboard behind Florida’s Trinity Thomas, who scored a 9.975. Davis received a score of 9.925, while Patterson earned a score of 9.900. Magnelli and Raena Albores received scores of 9.875 and 9.850, respectively, while Makenzie Wilson rounded out the team tally with a score of 9.825.
In their final rotation of the night, the Wildcats scored a total of 49.400 on the balance beam. Worley tied Florida’s Kayla DiCello for the top score of the meet with a score of 9.925. Patterson received a score of 9.900 on the apparatus, while Magnelli and Bunn earned scores of 9.875. Luksik was awarded a score of 9.825, while Riegert made her 2023 beam debut and set a season and career high score of 9.750.
The Wildcats will return to Memorial Coliseum for their final home meet of the season next Friday, where they will host No. 7 Auburn for Senior Night. Although they fell to Florida, Kentucky can hold their heads high after putting on a solid performance against one of the top teams in the nation, and fans will undoubtedly be eagerly awaiting their next match to see what they have in store.
