In one of the biggest matchups for the first weekend of the 2015 NCAA gymnastics season, No. 13 Arkansas hits the road to take on Co-Defending NCAA Champion and preseason No. 2, Oklahoma on Friday, January 9 at the Lloyd noble Center at 6:45 p.m. CT. This marks only the twelfth time these two teams have met and the Sooners lead the series at 10-1. At last years SEC vs Big-12 dual meet between these teams, Oklahoma decisively walked away with with the win 197.425-196.650, also claiming three of four event titles.

 

#13 ARKANSAS

Coming off a third place finish at the 2014 Fayetteville Regional, falling one spot shy of the chance to compete as a team at Nationals, the No. 13 Arkansas Razorbacks are looking for redemption in 2015. Despite losing a solid class of seniors, the Razorbacks suffered the major loss of two-time National Champion, Katherine Grable, on top of a change in the coaching staff. However, the 2015 Razorbacks have nine returners and welcome five talented newcomers to their roster. As only a sophomore this season, the 2014 SEC Freshman of the Year, Amanda Wellick is undeniably a leader for the Razorbacks and will look to head back to NCAAs, where she competed as an individual all-arounder last year, but this time bringing her entire team with her. With a strong supporting cast of returners in Stephani Canizaro, Heather Elswick, and Samantha Nelson, as well as a freshman class that will make an immediate impact with the help of standout Paige Zaziski, the Razorbacks will be adequately equipped for a successful 2015 campaign. 

Amanda Wellick vs University of Florida

#2 OKLAHOMA

Co-Defending NCAA Champion and preseason No. 2 are in fine form for the 2015 season. As they lose five seniors, including First-Team All-American Laura Albright and NCAA National Balance Beam Champ Taylor Spears, the Sooners only lose seven contributing routines and gain a phenomenal class of freshman as replacements. Vying for a spot in the lineup is the combination of 2014 regional beam champ Natalie Brown, former junior international elite Stefani Catour, three-time Junior Olympic Vault Champ, Ali Jackson, and 2014 U.S. Senior National Team member Brenna Dowell that will add invaluable depth to the Sooners roster.
 

Keeping the Sooners in fighting form is an unbelievably impressive group of returners lead by All-Americans Erica Brewer, Chayse Capps, Maile'ana Kanewa, Kara Lovan and superstar Haley Scaman. As a sophomore, Scaman became the first gymnast in OU program history to score three perfect 10.0s in a career as well as on multiple events (vault and floor). Coincidentally, her 10.0 on vault happened during last year’s matchup against Arkansas.

Watch Haley Scaman score a perfect 10.0 on floor!

Stick with Gymnastike for updates, results, and videos from around the country during the opening weekends of NCAA Gymnastics!
 

Related:

2015 Women’s NCAA Complete Schedule

2015 NCAA Season Has Begun