Razorbacks Gymnastics History at NCAA Regionals

Courtesy University of Arkansas Athletics Department

FAYETTEVILLE – The No. 16 University of Arkansas gymnastics team (8-12-1, 3-10-1 SEC) travels to Corvallis, Ore., to compete in the Corvallis NCAA Regional as the third-seeded team. The meet is scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 6, at 6 p.m. CST, in Gill Coliseum. 

The Razorbacks are making their 10th regional appearance in 11 seasons, including 10 straight appearances. This will be the first regional competition for the Razorbacks at Oregon State. Arkansas has been to Corvallis in the past for the programs’ first appearance at the National Championship in 2006. 

The other teams selected to the region include top-seeded Georgia, Oregon State as the two-seed, Boise State as the four-seed, Arizona State as the five-seed and Cal as the sixth-seeded team. This will be the third matchup with Georgia this season as well as the fourth year in a row to meet Boise State in a regional. 

Arkansas has earned a spot in a regional every year the program has existed with the exception of the first year in 2003. The Razorbacks have advanced to the NCAA semifinals six times, including each of the last five years.

Arkansas made its first NCAA appearance in 2004, finishing fourth in the South Central Regional in Tucson, Ariz. In 2005, the Razorbacks traveled to Durham, N.H., for the East Regional and again finished fourth.

In 2006, Arkansas hosted the South Central Regional for the first time and earned its first spot in the NCAA Championship. The Razorbacks finished behind No. 3 Florida, but upset No. 9 UCLA to finish second and advanced to Corvallis, for the NCAA Championship. 

In 2007, Arkansas just missed consecutive trips to the NCAA semifinals after finishing third in the Northeast Regional behind No. 1 Florida and host Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. 

The Razorbacks earned the first of four straight trips to the NCAA Championship in 2008 by placing second in the North Central Regional in Minneapolis, Minn. Arkansas finished behind No. 2 Utah, but beat host Minnesota and No. 14 Arizona. Arkansas went on to finish 10th in the country.

The South Central Regional was back in Fayetteville in 2009 and Arkansas claimed its first regional title by upsetting No. 4 Stanford and also beating No. 16 Michigan, No. 25 Arizona, No. 31 Arizona State and No. 27 Southern Utah. The Razorbacks went on to the NCAA Championship in Lincoln, Neb., and finished second in the Session II semifinal to advance to the Super Six for the first time and finished fifth in the nation. 

In 2010, Arkansas took their highest ever ranking into NCAA Regionals as the ninth-ranked Razorbacks finished second in the West Regional behind host No. 3 UCLA, topping No. 17 Iowa State and No. 21 Arizona. The Razorbacks advanced to the NCAA Championship in Gainesville, Fla., and tied for 11th in the nation. 

In 2011, Arkansas won its second regional title by winning the North Central Regional in Denver, Colo., upsetting No. 1 Florida. Arkansas also finished ahead of No. 13 Boise State, which is competing in Fayetteville this year, No. 19 Denver, No. 20 Arizona and No. 27 Brigham Young. The Razorbacks advanced to the NCAA Championship in Cleveland and tied for ninth in the country for their third top 10 finish in four years. 

Last season, Arkansas hosted a NCAA Regional for the third time in program history as the Razorbacks finished second to No. 3 UCLA to move onto the NCAA Championship in Duluth, Ga. The Razorbacks finished third in their Session II semifinal to advance to the Super Six for the second time in school history and finish sixth in the nation.

Arkansas has finished ranked among the top 15 teams in the country eight straight years. Individually, four Razorbacks have combined to win seven regional championships, including one on this year’s roster. In 2011, current junior All-American Katherine Grable won the vault title in Denver. 

Former All-American Jaime Pisani won two NCAA Regional titles, including the floor title in Denver in 2011 and the all-around competition in Fayetteville last season. Former All-American Michelle Stout won the vault title in 2009 in Fayetteville. Former All-American Casey Jo Magee won three NCAA Regional titles, including floor and beam in Fayetteville in 2009, and beam in 2010 in Los Angeles.

 

Arkansas’ All-Time NCAA Regional Results

(Top two teams advanced to the NCAA Championship)

 

2004

April 3 — Tucson, Ariz.

NCAA South Central Regional

#5 Utah 197.625

#8 Florida 197.050

#18 Arizona 196.375

#25 Arkansas 195.550

#39 Illinois 195.400

#40 Illinois-Chicago 193.875

 

2005

April 21 — Durham, N.H.

NCAA East Regional

#3 LSU 197.125

#10 Oklahoma 195.550

#41 New Hamp. 194.700

#15 Arkansas 193.950

#51 Pittsburgh 193.100

#52 Rutgers 191.350

 

2006

April 8 — Fayetteville, Ark.

NCAA South Central Regional

#3 Florida 196.375

#18 Arkansas 195.400

#9 UCLA 195.175

#30 Illinois 193.125

#42 Illinois-Chicago 191.125

#49 Southeast Mo. 189.050

 

2007

April 14 — Ann Arbor, Mich.

NCAA Northeast Regional

#1 Florida 197.325

#12 Michigan 196.050

#13 Arkansas 195.875

#43 New Hamp. 192.925

#41 Pittsburgh 192.550

#51 Rutgers 190.875

 

2008

April 12 — Minneapolis, Minn.

NCAA North Central Regional

#2 Utah 196.950

#11 Arkansas 196.125

#28 Minnesota 195.275

#14 Arizona 194.275

#27 Southern Utah 193.575

#23 Iowa 192.450

 

2009

April 4 — Fayetteville, Ark.

NCAA South Central Regional

#10 Arkansas 196.300

#4 Stanford 196.200

#16 Michigan 195.700

#25 Arizona 194.350

#31 Arizona St. 193.900

#27 Southern Utah 192.650

 

2010

April 10 – Los Angeles, Calif.

NCAA West Regional

#3 UCLA 197.825

#9 Arkansas 196.675

#21 Arizona 195.100

#17 Iowa St. 194.325

#32 Arizona St. 193.900

#26 Brigham Young 193.400

 

2011

April 12 – Denver, Colo.

NCAA North Central Regional

#12 Arkansas 196.55

#1 Florida 196.425

#13 Boise St. 196.40

#19 Denver 195.625

#20 Arizona 195.40

#27 Brigham Young 194.65

 

2012

April 12 – Fayetteville, Ark.

NCAA Fayetteville Regional

#3 UCLA 197.225

#10 Arkansas 196.825

#15 Boise State 196.050

#19 Missouri 195.450

#34 Maryland 194.40

#29 New Hampshire 193.90

 

Fans can follow along during the meet with live results, interactive blog and the team’s @RazorbackGYM Twitter page.

Tags: , , ,