Georgia Records Season-Best Road Score at Florida

Friday, January 27

Gainesville, Fla.

6:00 p.m.

University of Georgia

196.850

197.900

Florida

January 27, 2023 | Gymnastics

GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- The University of Georgia gymnastics team record its best road score of the season but fell to the Florida Gators, 197.900-196.850 on Friday night at the Exactech Arena at the Stephen C O'Connell Center.

Seven GymDogs improved or matched their season-best scores. Freshman Naya Howard notched season high scores in the first two rotations with a 9.875 on vault and a 9.900 on bars.  Also on vault, senior Haley de Jong and junior Katie Finnegan received a 9.825 to increase their season highs.  Senior Amanda Cashman swung to her top score of the season (9.775), while Finnegan matched hers (9.900) on bars. In the first two spots on floor, freshman Nicole King tumbled to a 9.825 and Eryn Williams matched her 9.850.  Finally on beam, senior Vanessa Deniz matched her season high with a 9.900.

"This was a good meet in a competitive atmosphere," Georgia head coach Courtney Kupets Carter said.  "It was our best road score and we had really solid performances throughout the meet- so many season high scores. We have five freshmen competing eight routines and they continue to progress. We're eagar to take on the challenge of improving the next two week on the road."

Georgia started the meet with a solid performance on bars, scoring a 49.350. Senior Haley de Jong, junior Katie Finnegan, and freshman Naya Howard all scored a 9.900 to begin the meet.  Freshman JaFree Scott and graduate Josie Angeny both contributed a 9.825.

Moving onto vault, the GymDogs added a 49.200 to the total score, which is the team's best score on the road thus far this season.  Freshman Naya Howard led the charge with a season best 9.875 and senior Soraya Hawthorne followed from the anchor position, scoring a 9.850.  Senior Amanda Cashman, de Jong, and Finnegan all scored a 9.825.

Continuing on floor, the GymDogs compiled a 49.225.  Cashman earned the top score among GymDogs with a 9.900 and Williams followed with her 9.850.  King, Howard, and Hawthorne all contributed a 9.825.

Finishing on beam, Georgia added a 49.075 to the total.  De Jong and Deniz were Georgia's top performers, both receiving a 9.900.  Hawthorne scored a 9.825, followed by Hawthorne's 9.750, and a 9.700 from freshman Jacquie Moran.

The GymDogs are on the road again next week as the team heads to LSU to face the Tigers on Friday, February 3 at 9 p.m. ET.  The meet will be the third featured on the SEC Network's Friday Night Heights.

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FINAL RESULTS
GEORGIA: 196.850 (VT- 49.200, UB- 49.350, BB- 49.075, FX- 49.225)
FLORIDA: 197.900 (VT- 49.425, UB- 49.575, BB- 49.475, FX- 49.425)

VAULT- 49.200
Haley de Jong: 9.825
Katie Finnegan: 9.825
Sandra Elsadek: 9.725
Amanda Cashman: 9.825
Naya Howard: 9.875
Soraya Hawthorne: 9.850

BARS- 49.350
Amanda Cashman: 9.775
Josie Angeny: 9.825
Naya Howard: 9.900
JaFree Scott: 9.825
Katie Finnegan: 9.900
Haley de Jong: 9.900

BEAM- 49.075
Naya Howard: 9.750
Soraya Hawthorne: 9.825
Vanessa Deniz: 9.900
Jacquie Moran: 9.700
JaFree Scott: 9.100
Haley de Jong: 9.900

FLOOR- 49.225
Nicole King: 9.825
Eryn Williams: 9.850
Amanda Cashman: 9.900
Naya Howard: 9.825
Haley de Jong: 9.625
Soraya Hawthorne: 9.825