Last weekend, Georgia gymnastics went to Ann Arbor to play #7 Michigan. Although the GymDogs lost 197.075-196.300, there were encouraging signals for Courtney Kupets Carter’s youthful team once again.
On the floor, rookies Holly Snyder (9.900) and Ady Wahl (9.925) both set season high scores. Lily Smith, a fellow freshmen, won the event titles in the bars (9.950) and the overall (39.500). Smith’s incredible 9.950 performance on the floor also matched her season-high score. A stunning display of consistency saw five GymDogs tie for the evening’s top beam score of 9.850. That’s a big win (even in a loss) for everyone who watched the Dawgs struggle on beam over the last few seasons.
The host Wolverines lead the #20-ranked GymDogs in both of the first two rounds as they scored 48.650 on bars and 48.950 on vault. With a 9.950 on bars, Lily Smith was once again the night’s top scorer. Once again, the Dawgs struggled in the event away from Stegeman Coliseum, with Ady Wahl leading the team on vault with a score of 9.875.
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The Red and Black had a difficult time turning things around after a dismal start in an away game earlier this year against Kentucky. These juvenile GymDogs, though, seem to be growing up. In response to the sluggish start, they produced their best away score of the game (49.450), driven by Smith’s 9.950. Once more, Smith finished first in the rotation with a 9.950 from the anchor position.
Then, with a 49.250 on the beam, the Classic City Canines tied their best away score. On the beam, sophomores Naya Howard and JaFree Scott, Anya Turner, Lily Smith, and Jaydah Battle all recorded 9.850s. The foursome and two gymnasts from Michigan split a seven-way tie for the event title.
The score of 196.300 was not very high; it was definitely lower than the strong 197.550 achieved in the previous week’s victory over Auburn at home. However, it was the Dawgs’ best away performance of the year, and it will enable them to improve their postseason placement by dropping a lower away performance (the 195.560 from that Kentucky match in Rupp Atena).
Lily Smith of Limerick, Pennsylvania was named SEC Freshman Gymnast of the Week for her accomplishments. This is the fourth time the native of Limerick has received this accolade this season.
Starting on March 23, the SEC Gymnastics Championships will be held in New Orleans. But first, this weekend, Georgia will go to Nashville to participate in the Kidney Care Collegiate Challenge. On Saturday, March 16th, the GymDogs will play the Talladega Tornadoes, Iowa, Maryland, and Pittsburgh.
Once more, it’s unlikely that this GymDog squad will contend for an NCAA or SEC championship in 2024. But following a string of challenging, frequently disappointing seasons, there’s a tangible feeling that things are moving in the right direction with the show. There is a core group here that has the potential to rank among the top in the country very soon if Coach Kupets Carter can retain her excellent freshman in Athens for the upcoming season. I hope that excites you as much as it does. Until next time…