Kentucky gymnastics may have just one win under their belt this season, but don't let that fool you. Coach Tim Garrison’s squad has broken into the top 25, climbing to the 24th spot in the latest National Qualifying Scores (NQS) rankings.
Tonight, they’re set to face a formidable challenge against No. 7 Arkansas, and you can catch all the action live on SEC Network+.
Junior Cecily Rizo, a constant presence in the lineup since 2024, is optimistic about the team's progress. Kentucky has consistently scored over 196 in their last three meets, including a standout 197.325 at No.
12 Auburn and a 196.825 against No. 7 Missouri.
“There is definitely way more to come,” Rizo confidently stated. “We didn’t start the season the way we wanted, but that’s not who we are.
We’re better than what we showed early on, and we’re pushing to be a top team. Nationals are within our reach, so don’t count us out.”
The Wildcats are powered by standout juniors Delaynee Rodriguez and Creslyn Brose. Rodriguez has been a force, securing her fifth all-around title this season with a 39.500 against Missouri.
Ranked No. 4 in the NCAA all-around with a 39.455 NQS, she’s also claimed victories on the uneven bars and floor exercise with career-high scores of 9.950. Rodriguez has consistently delivered, scoring at least 9.800 in 106 of her 124 career routines.
Brose, despite missing some meets due to a concussion, has been dominant on floor exercise, winning the event in the last three meets. She nearly snagged a perfect 10 against Missouri with a 9.950, and her floor average of 9.938 ranks third nationally. With eight career titles on floor, Brose has scored 9.900 or higher in 27 of her 30 routines.
Sophomore Chesney Bennett and freshman Gabby Van Frayen both hit career-best 9.900 on the balance beam, with Bennett earning her first collegiate event win and Van Frayen claiming her second consecutive title. Freshman Sabrina Nemchek has been making waves, scoring a 9.900 on the uneven bars at Auburn in her debut and improving to 9.925 against Missouri. Sophomore Ryan Noonan also hit her stride, achieving her first 9.900s at UK on both vault and bars recently.
Looking ahead, Kentucky faces a tough stretch, starting with tonight’s meet at Arkansas. They’ll host No.
6 Georgia on Feb. 26, travel to No. 3 Alabama on March 6, and wrap up the regular season against No.
4 Florida on March 13. That’s four weeks of facing top-tier competition.
“It’s intense competition, but we’ve got the fire,” Van Frayen remarked. “Their rankings might be higher, but we’re right there with them.
Watch for an upset. Competing week after week was daunting at first, but now I love it.
We’re on a roll, and we’re aiming for the top.”