The Georgia.Gym Dawgs came in at No. 9 in the preseason coaches’ poll released Tuesday. Oklahoma is ranked No. 1 followed by Florida, Alabama, Utah, LSU, UCLA, Michigan, Stanford, Georgia and Auburn to round out the top-10.
Georgia returns 13 gymnasts from last year’s squad that finished the season ranked No. 9. All three seniors – Mary Beth Box, Brandie Jay and Brittany Rogers – earned All-America honors a year ago.
The Gymdogs will take on every other team ranked in the preseason top-10 beginning with No. 7 Michigan in the season opener Jan. 9 in Ann Arbor.
The annual Sneak Peek, which will serve as a chance for fans to catch a glimpse of the 2016 Gymdogs, will be held Friday at 7 p.m. at the Suzanne Yoculan Gymnastics Center. Admission is free.
2016 Preseason Coaches Poll – Top 25
1. Oklahoma (2266 points; 29 first place votes)
2. Florida (2234 points; 15 first place votes)
3. Alabama (2174 points; 4 first place votes)
4. Utah (2171 points; 14 first place votes)
5. LSU (2119 points; 3 first place votes)
6. UCLA (1922 points)
7. Michigan (1912 points)
8. Stanford (1863 points)
9. Georgia (1839 points)
10. Auburn (1811 points)
11. Nebraska (1801 points)
12. Oregon State (1491 points)
13. Arkansas (1457 points)
14. California (1411 points)
15. Illinois (1369 points)
16. Denver (1368 points)
17. Penn State (1246 points)
18. Arizona (1178 points)
19. Boise State (1154 points; 1 first place vote)
20. Minnesota (1024 points)
21. Kentucky (876 points)
22. Ohio State (869 points)
23. Missouri (852 points)
24. Southern Utah (829 points)
25. Central Michigan (821 points)