Highlighted by a perfect performance on bars by sophomore Marissa Oakley, the GymDogs tallied a season-best  198.050 to secure their trip to the NCAA Championships during the NCAA Athens Regional on Saturday night in Stegeman Coliseum. 

Oakley is the first GymDog since 1998 to earn a 10 on bars during regionals competition. The sophomore GymDog is also the first Georgia gymnast to manage such a feat since Georgia head coach Courtney Kupets Carter in 2009.

Georgia’s score of 198.050 is the highest score for the GymDogs since 2009 at the NCAA Regionals under then-head coach Suzanne Yoculan Leebern.
The GymDogs finished behind the University of Oklahoma Sooners (198.475), who will also advance to the NCAA National Championship in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 19-20.  

“We are excited as an entire University of Georgia gymnastics program,” Georgia head coach Courtney Kupets Carter said. “There are so many people that work with us and continue to help these athletes reach their goals and their dreams, and that’s what is so exciting to me— we’re peaking at the right time. There were so many amazing moments, it’s hard to describe which one is the best…[Marissa Oakley’s 10.000] is so meaningful to me. When I watch the team, I sometimes get more nervous for them than I ever did as an athlete, because I know how much they work, and they are really capable of it. It was great to see them do that tonight. It’s amazing to have another 10.000 in this program, and it won’t be the last either, and it won’t take 10 years to get it again— I can definitely guarantee that.”

Georgia opened competition with fierce performances on floor for a 49.550. Junior Sabrina Vega grabbed the GymDogs’ highest score of first rotation in the anchor spot, posting a 9.975 to match her career-high. Also matching her career-best was freshman Rachael Lukacs with 9.925, while junior GymDog Rachel Dickson grabbed a 9.900. Senior Sydney Snead and freshman Rachel Baumann each added 9.875. 

The GymDogs vaulted themselves to a 49.375, including Snead’s 9.950 to lead the event. Lukacs was Georgia’s next-leading scorer with 9.900, with Abbey Ward and Vega adding 9.850 apiece. Magee earned a 9.825 to round out the second rotation for the GymDogs.

Georgia secured its highest score of the night on bars with a 49.575 with Oakley’s perfect 10 performance highlighting the third rotation. Three GymDogs’ earned 9.900 scores for their impressive showings, including freshman Alexa Al-Hameed, Snead and Dickson. Freshman Megan Roberts added 9.875.

Wrapping up competition on beam, Georgia earned a 49.550. The GymDogs notched a leadoff score of 9.800 by Snead followed by a career-high 9.950 from Dickson. Consecutive 9.950 scores by Vega and Baumann, who grabbed her career-high in the event, concluded competition, giving Georgia its final score of 198.050.

FINAL RESULTS-

GEORGIA: 198.050 (VT- 49.375, UB- 49.575, BB- 49.550, FX- 49.550)
OKLAHOMA: 198.475 (VT- 49.450, UB- 49.650, BB- 49.700, FX- 49.675)
CALIFORNIA: 197.675 (VT- 49.375, UB- 49.575, BB- 49.400, FX- 49.325)
KENTUCKY: 197.600 (VT- 49.424, UB- 49.300, BB- 49.275, FX- 49.600)

VAULT- 49.375
Mikayla Magee: 9.825
Abbey Ward: 9.850
Sabrina Vega: 9.850
Rachel Dickson: 9.700
Rachael Lukacs: 9.900
Sydney Snead: 9.950

BARS- 49.575
Megan Roberts: 9.875
Rachael Lukacs: 9.850
Sydney Snead: 9.900
Alexa Al-Hameed: 9.900
Rachel Dickson: 9.900
Marissa Oakley: 10.000

BEAM- 49.550
Sydney Snead: 9.800
Rachel Dickson: 9.950
Mikayla Magee: 9.800
Marissa Oakley: 9.900
Rachel Baumann: 9.950
Sabrina Vega: 9.950

FLOOR- 49.550
Mikayla Magee: 9.850
Rachel Baumann: 9.875
Rachael Lukacs: 9.925
Rachel Dickson: 9.925
Sabrina Vega: 9.975
Sydney Snead: 9.875