FAYETTEVILLE — Eleventh-ranked Arkansas returns home for the final time this season to host 15th-ranked Denver and 26th-ranked Iowa State Friday at 7 p.m. inside Barnhill Arena.
Arkansas comes into the week with a Regional Qualifying Score of 196.660 for the second week in a row and hold the No. 11 spot in Road To Nationals weekly rankings.
After starting the season as the preseason ranked No. 19 team and have not been ranked below No. 11 since week one, including six weeks inside the top 10.
How They Compare (Season RQS)
Vault: Denver- 49.185, Arkansas- 49.045, Iowa State- 49.025
Bars: Arkansas- 49.265, Denver- 49.225, Iowa State- 49.050
Beam: Arkansas- 49.250, Denver- 49.165, Iowa State- 49.010
Floor: Denver- 49.270, Arkansas- 49.240, Iowa State-49.050
Total: Arkansas- 196.660, Denver- 196.525, Iowa State- 195.945
Freshman Sophia Carter is the Razorbacks’ highest ranked gymnast on an event, coming in at No. 17 on beam, while senior Braie Speed is ranked 18th on vault. Speed has secured multiple 9.900’s or higher two out of the last three meets, including a program record 9.950 on bars against Arizona.
It’ll be the second matchup in as many weeks against the Denver Pioneers as the Razorbacks were paired up against them last week at the Oklahoma Quad.
The Razorbacks have posted scores of 196 or higher in six of the last eight meets. This season, Arkansas has scored a 49.000 or higher in 29 event rotations, after posting similar scores just 18 times all of last season. Despite a low score last week, senior Amanda Wellick continues to score a 9.800 or higher in 82.7% of her routines.
The Razorbacks have been stellar at home this season, recording three wins and posting scores of 196.525, 197.175, 196.750 and 197.275 along the way.
Action is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., with pre-meet ceremonies beginning at 6:45 p.m.
Promotions
Friday’s meet will have a superhero theme as all kids attending the meet are encouraged to dress as their favorite superhero. The first 150 kids will receive a free custom Razorback cape.
The Razorbacks will honor seniors Braie Speed, Mia Bargiacchi and Amanda Wellick, as well as student assistant coach Leah MacMoyle during a post meet ceremony.
