Razorbacks place in Top 10 in gymnastics’ first RQS

FAYETTEVILLE — In the first official Regional Qualifying Score (RQS) rankings, Arkansas holds steady at No. 10 with a score of 196.530, its highest opening week RQS score since 2012.

The Razorbacks remain in fifth place in the SEC, just three-tenths of a point behind Kentucky. The top four teams in the lead make the second session of the SEC Championships on March 24, as the Razorbacks are looking to make their first appearance in the session in program history.

Arkansas began the year as the preseason 19th-best team and has not held a ranking below No. 11 since week one’s rankings were released Jan. 8.

Event Rankings

Following its highest road score on the uneven bars in program history, the Razorbacks rank eighth in the country on the event with a score of 49.165.

Senior Amanda Wellick leads the way on bars, ranking No. 24 while fellow senior Braie Speed comes in at No. 37.

Freshmen Sarah Shaffer and Sydney Laird rank No. 46 and No. 80 to round out the Razorbacks’ best.

The Razorbacks rank ninth in the nation on the balance beam with a score of 49.200.

Michaela Burton who has recorded five-straight scores over 9.850, including a season high 9.900 at Florida last Friday, ranks as Arkansas’ best on the event at No. 20.

After posting its second highest score of the season at Florida on vault, the Razorbacks come in at No. 20 with senior Braie Speed leading the way at No. 23 after posting a season high 9.925 last Friday.

On the floor Arkansas ranks No. 15 as a team with freshman Sarah Shaffer pacing the team at No. 19 in the nation. Shaffer posted a season high 9.925 on the floor.

Senior Amanda Wellick added to the floor lineup last Friday and posted an all-around score of 39.200 in her first appearance on all four events this season.

Shaffer and sophomore Jessica Yamzon are tied at No. 27 in the nation in the all-around with scores of 39.195 each.

Weekly Rankings | RQS
1. Oklahoma – 197.855
2. UCLA– 197.610
3. LSU – 197.545
4. Utah – 197.415
5. Florida – 197.250
6. Alabama– 196.850
7. Michigan – 196.800
8. Oregon State– 196.605
9. Kentucky – 196.560
10. Arkansas– 196.530
11. Washington– 196.515
12. Denver– 196.360
13. Arizona State– 196.285
14. Boise State– 196.255
15. Auburn – 196.190
16. Nebraska – 196.135
17. Georgia – 196.050
18. California – 196.040
19. George Washington– 195.595
20. Missouri – 195.940
21. Ohio State – 195.840
22. North Carolina State – 195.695
23. Iowa State – 195.665
24. BYU– 195.655
25. Minnesota – 195.620

Arkansas is back at home this week to host Arizona. The meet is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 5:30.