Despite Loss to LSU, Arkansas Gymnastics Committee Commends Standout Freshman

The top-10 showdown of Friday welcomed two of the remarkable gymnastics teams, the LSU Tigers and Arkansas Razorbacks. Following a close match between the No.5 and No.7 Arkansas, it was the former that took home the victory with 198.475. Though the Tigers attained all the glory with multiple records, the Razorbacks’ freshman, Priscilla Park ensured to keep a spotlight for herself.

Defeats in sports are no stranger to evoking bitter emotions and dampened spirits in individuals or otherwise. However, today as the Razorbacks stood on the other side of the win, they ensured to look at the brightness the meet offered. As freshman Priscilla recorded new numbers and graceful performances, the team embraced and cheered.

Razorbacks highlight the grace of gymnastics

A couple of minutes following the defeat, the Arkansas gymnastics team took to X to share a clip of a fellow gymnast on the beams. “All the calmness and poise of a vet,” the caption read, referring to the graceful movements of freshman Cilla on the balance beam. For the entirety of a minute routine, Priscilla executed delicate movements, balance, and a perfect landing to garner the loudest cheers from the crowd behind. The performance got the freshman 9.975 best for Arkansas freshmen since 2018.

Standing 5-3, the Atlanta native is a known all-rounder. In 2022, she swept all the state’s titles to gain a career-high 39.000 all-around score. Today as she continued along, the Arkansas Gymnastics called her the ‘highlight’ of the night as she contributed to a season-high 49.450 on the beam and made an all-around appearance. The latter recorded the freshman’s second performance in the event, scoring 39.425 for a third-place finish. While Priscilla secured her best, the Razorbacks weren’t far off in delivering theirs.

A team effort in road dual

It was Arkansas’ first road trip to Baton Rouge since 2021 for the battle against LSU Tigers on Feb 2nd. The away games against LSU haven’t always been a treat for the latter and the pattern persisted. Nonetheless, the team by the end managed to score above 49 in three of four events and added a season-high on beam as a right topping.

On the bars, Jaime Pratt led the team with double layout dismount to score 9.850. As for Vault, two Razorbacks, Frankie Price and Lauren Williams landed a 9.875 to claim the fourth spot. It was another lead for Williams who came in second-last for performance on the floor and contributed 9.925 to 49.375 total.

Also Read: Alongside Joscelyn Roberson and Zoe Miller Here Are Top Gymnasts Who Signed With LSU, Razorbacks, UCLA, and Others

As for the beam, Priscilla Park clearly led and owned the event with her impressive numbers. In doing so, the team embraced 2-1-1 overall in the SEC. The team will next face Florida on an away SEC dual on the 9th of February.

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