University of Georgia
Missouri
Lily Smith Scores a Perfect 10 Against Missouri
January 20, 2024 | Gymnastics
ATHENS, Ga. — Freshman Lily Smith scored a Perfect 10 on bars but the Georgia gymnastics team fell to the Missouri Tigers, 197.4-197.050 on Saturday afternoon in Stegeman Coliseum.
Smith is the ninth freshmen in Georgia gymnastics history to achieve a Perfect 10 in their rookie season. She is the first Georgia freshman to receive a Perfect 10 since Marline Stephens on floor in 2001 and the first on bars since Lori Strong at the 1993 NCAA SE Regional.
"It feels amazing," Smith said after scoring her first collegiate Perfect 10. "I can't even put it into words. I've been dreaming about getting a 10 on a college team because it is just so different than getting it in a club. The energy in Stegeman is amazing and it's great to see all of my teammates and my coaches so happy."
The Limerick, Pa. native was stellar on beam and floor as well, scoring a 9.950 and a 9.925 on those events respectively and taking home the event title on floor.
"It's not going to be our last, but it's our first," head coach Courtney Kupets said of Smith's Perfect 10. "For her to have that moment with her teammates was really special. She does that in the gym probably once a day, one of those bar routines where we would give it a 10.0, so that's something really special about her that she has that technique and ability to recreate the same bar routine over and over again. I hope she just embraces that and enjoys it and just soaks it in."
"This was a great meet overall," Kupets Carter continued. "We keep improving and that's what we're looking for. We are a young team, but I'm proud of everything I'm seeing from this team. We still have things to work on. Whenever we're at home, it's so exciting because of the crowd, and the crowd showed up today- that was absolutely amazing. We're so thankful for that, because it does make a big difference when they go out and compete at home. Hopefully our team felt it and had a good time with it because I sure noticed it."
The GymDogs began the meet on vault, where the team performed for a season high 49.025. Freshman Ady Wahl led the rotation with a team-best 9.875 and sophomore JaFree Scott received a 9.825 in her first career vault.
On bars, alongside Smith's 10, Scott earned a 9.875 and Wahl received a 9.825, helping Georgia finish with a 49.250 in the second rotation.
Continuing onto balance beam in the third rotation, Smith led the squad with a 9.950. Freshmen Jaydah Battle, Anya Turner, and sophomore Scott all received a 9.875 to contribute to a strong season-best 49.350.
The GymDogs finished with a score of 49.425 on the floor where senior Ashlyn Laclair and sophomore Sidney Fitzgerald both posted career-best performances of 9.875 and 9.900, respectively. Wahl also earned a season high 9.900 and Smith anchored with a 9.925.
Georgia gymnastics is back on the road next week at Kentucky. The teams tumble into action on Friday, January 26 at 7:00 p.m. in Rupp Arena.
Players Mentioned
