ATHENS, Ga. ---- The University of Georgia gymnastics team secured a home victory against the University of Kentucky, 197.225-196.575, on Friday night in Stegeman Coliseum. This meet marked the highest scoring output since the last home meet against Kentucky on March 5, 2021.

Georgia outscored Kentucky on all four events of the meet earning a total score of 197.225. The Gymdogs posted two season-best event scores with a 49.250 on beam and 49.225 on vault. Additionally, the Gymdogs won event titles for three events; Naya Howard secured the title for vault, Katie Finnegan earned the title on bars and Haley de Jong and Soraya Hawthorne shared the honor on floor.

“We really appreciate the crowd coming out two times this week,” Georgia head coach Courtney Kupets Carter said. “It just really keeps their momentum going. I just think it’s fantastic that some freshmen, but also seniors are either matching or getting new career highs. We made a really big improvement. When we ask them to focus on it, they all want it, so it’s really nice to see them actually doing those little things that make a big difference. The excitement between them is really helping to build one thing after another, not just the gymnastics, but the camaraderie as a team is just propelling them forward for sure.”

The Gymdogs started off strong on vault, where freshman Naya Howard led the rotation and earned a career high with a solid 9.900. Seniors Amanda Cashman and Soraya Hawthorne both vaulted to a 9.875. Overall, the team scored a 49.225.

Continuing on bars, the team swung to a collective score of 49.325. Junior Katie Finnegan matched her career-high with a 9.900. Graduate Josie Angeny and freshman JaFree Scott both received a 9.875. Senior Haley de Jong finished the event with her score of 9.850.

The energy continued on beam, where the team posted an overall score of 49.250. Hawthorne shined with her performance, which earned a career-high of 9.900. Howard secured a score of 9.875, and senior Vanessa Deniz followed with a 9.850.

The Gymdogs ended the competition on floor with a combined score of 49.425. De Jong and Hawthorne both earned a 9.925 for their respective performances. To round out the event, Cashman and Howard’s routines earned them both a 9.875.

Up next, Georgia will head to Gainesville, Florida to compete against the University of Florida on Jan. 27 at 6 p.m.

FOLLOW THE GYMDOGS For all the latest on Georgia gymnastics, follow the team on Twitter (@UGAGymnastics), Instagram (ugagymnastics), Facebook (Georgia Gymnastics), and keep checking in to georgiadogs.com.

FINAL RESULTS

GEORGIA: 197.225 (VT- 49.225, UB- 49.325 BB- 49.250, FX- 49.425)

KENTUCKY: 196.575 (VT- 49.050, UB- 49.100, BB- 49.225, FX- 49.200)

VAULT- 49.225

Haley de Jong: 9.775

Katie Finnegan: 9.775

Sandra Elsadek: 9.800

Amanda Cashman: 9.875

Naya Howard: 9.900

Soraya Hawthorne: 9.875

BARS- 49.325

Amanda Cashman: 9.750

Josie Angeny: 9.875

Naya Howard: 9.825

JaFree Scott: 9.875

Katie Finnegan: 9.900

Haley de Jong: 9.850

BEAM- 49.250

Naya Howard: 9.875

Soraya Hawthorne: 9.900

Vanessa Deniz: 9.850

Jacquie Moran: 9.825

JaFree Scott: 9.725

Haley de Jong: 9.800

FLOOR- 49.425

Nicole King: 9.825

Eryn Williams: 9.575

Amanda Cashman: 9.875

Naya Howard: 9.875

Haley de Jong: 9.925

Soraya Hawthorne: 9.925

©2023 Cox Media Group