University of Georgia
Arkansas
GymDogs Match Season-Best on Bars, Fall to Arkansas in Duluth
March 05, 2023 | Gymnastics
DULUTH, Ga. — The No. 18 University of Georgia gymnastics team had three athletes finish with the top scores of their events but ultimately fell to No. 17 Arkansas, 197.150-196.875, on Sunday afternoon at Gas South Arena in Duluth.
Georgia's (6-10, 1-6 SEC) Katie Finnegan and JaFree Scott tied with Arkansas' (4-7, 2-5 SEC) Maddie Jones for the top score in bars, while Soraya Hawthorne claimed the highest score on floor for the third time in her career.
"It's been a crazy week, changing venues from a home meet to a semi-home meet in Duluth," said head coach Courtney Kupets Carter. "We were really glad we could make that change and still be in the state of Georgia, not far from campus. During the warmup, we had to make a few changes to our lineup, with one athlete getting a slight injury today. We'll check her out and see what's going on. But I loved how the team rallied around that. Having to make those changes and get those athletes in, I thought they responded well. Katie (Finnegan), JaFree (Scott), and Naya (Howard) all had career high scores on bars which was great for us and allowed us to carry that momentum. We are continuing to build confidence, we've had to make several changes. We want them to not only make their routine but feel comfortable and confident."
Beginning on vault, the GymDogs tallied a team total of 48.850. Naya Howard finished with a team-best 9.825 on the rotation, followed by seniors Haley de Jong and Amanda Cashman each tallying a 9.775. Katie Finnegan and Josie Angeny rounded out the team's total with 9.750 and 9.725, respectively.
The GymDogs then tied its season high on bars (49.475), led by freshman JaFree Scott and junior Katie Finnegan each setting career highs, both with a 9.950. Howard added a score of 9.925, with Cashman beginning the rotation for Georgia with a 9.800 and de Jong anchoring with a 9.850. Finnegan and Scott each earned the event title with their scores.
Transitioning into beam, the GymDogs added a score of 49.175 to its total. Howard started the rotation with a 9.825, which was then matched by Soraya Hawthorne. Sidney Fitzgerald followed the two, posting a 9.800 in her second career routine, a new best. Angeny and Deniz each finished with a 9.850, with de Jong anchoring a 9.825.
Heading into the final rotation, the Razorbacks held a narrow lead over the GymDogs, 147.925-147.500. Eryn Williams and Howard began the floor rotation for Georgia, both with scores of 9.850. Cashman tallied a 9.875, while de Jong earned a 9.850, her highest in the event since the Metroplex Challenge on Feb. 11. Hawthorne anchored and finished the meet, receiving her season-best score of 9.950 for the fifth time this year.
Georgia will conclude its regular season with senior day against No. 4 Michigan on Friday, March 10 at 7 p.m. ET at Gas South Arena in Duluth.
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FINAL RESULTS
GEORGIA: 196.875 (VT- 48.850, UB- 49.475, BB- 49.175, FX- 49.375)
ARKANSAS: 197.150 (VT- 49.125, UB- 49.475, BB- 49.225, FX- 49.325)
VAULT-
Haley de Jong: 9.775
Katie Finnegan: 9.750
Josie Angeny: 9.725
Amanda Cashman: 9.775
Naya Howard: 9.825
Soraya Hawthorne: 9.475
BARS-
Amanda Cashman: 9.800
Josie Angeny: 9.375
Naya Howard: 9.925
JaFree Scott: 9.950
Katie Finnegan: 9.950
Haley de Jong: 9.850
BEAM-
Naya Howard: 9.825
Soraya Hawthorne: 9.825
Sidney Fitzgerald: 9.800
Josie Angeny: 9.85
Vanessa Deniz: 9.85
Haley de Jong: 9.825
FLOOR:
Eryn Williams: 9.850
Naya Howard: 9.850
Sandra Elsadek: 9.725
Amanda Cashman: 9.875
Haley de Jong: 9.850
Soraya Hawthorne: 9.950
Players Mentioned
