Arkansas Razorbacks' gymnastics team starts 2024 with highest-ever season-opening score

The Arkansas Razorbacks opened the 2024 season with a new record after registering the highest season-opening score.

The Razorbacks faced the Georgia GymDogs on Friday, January 12, 2024, at Barnhill Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas to kick off the season. They secured their first win over the Bulldogs at the home arena since 2020.

The Hogs secured a win over the Gymdog squad with a tight score of 197.150-196.350. The Gymbacks features four freshmen on the 2024 season’s roster, including Chandler Buntin, Dakota Essenpries, Hailey Klein, and Priscilla Park, competing in all four events.

Furthermore, it also boasts All-SEC honorees, consisting of Reese Drotar, Frankie Price, Cami Weaver, along with veterans such as Jensen Scalzo, Leah Smith, and Maddie Jones.

The Arkansas Razorbacks scored a total of 49.575 in the floor exercise with Kalyxta Gamiao contributing 9.875. Lauren Williams and Frankie Price scored 9.950 points, leading the event. The Razorbeam team recorded a score of 49.025 points in the balance beam event. Maddie Jones recorded 9.900 on the beam to tie with Bulldog's Ja Free Scott. While Gamiao and Williams scored 9.875 and 9.750 respectively, the All-SEC honoree Cami Weaver scored 9.775.

Bulldog's JaFree led the bars with 9.950, ahead of Jamie Pratt and Jensen Scalzo, who scored 9.900 points. The Gymbacks scored a total of 49.325 points in the bars event. The Hogs displayed a dominating performance on the vault, gathering 49.225 points. Weaver and Williams scored 9.900 points, followed by Priscilla Park and Makie Sedlacek, who scored 9.825 points.

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"I think we have exactly what it takes to go to nationals" - Lauren Williams

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The Arkansas Razorbacks dominated the floor event with Lauren Williams leading the event after scoring a total of 9.950 points, along with Frankie Price. During the post-event interview, Williams showed confidence in the team for reaching the nationals, while sharing her excitement.

"Just super happy, and super excited to be competing again with my team," Lauren said. "We have worked so hard this pre-season. I just thought everything that I could for the team and to the table and I'm just excited to get back to work and keep working hard with my girls."

"I think we have exactly what it takes to go to nationals as a team this year," she added.

The Hogs will go head-to-head with Alabama Crimson Tide gymnastics on January 19, 2024.