Georgia Scores 197.225 in Win Over Kentucky

Friday, January 20

Athens, Ga.

6:45 p.m.

University of Georgia

197.225

196.575

Kentucky

January 20, 2023 | Gymnastics

Photo Gallery

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