The Kentucky Wildcats are turning heads this season with their impressive start to the 2017 season. The sixth-ranked Wildcats have posted two new record team scores in back-to-back weeks. After taking down Eastern Michigan in its opener, Kentucky made a statement in a tough loss at current No. 3 Florida by posting a 196.95. The Wildcats' score made history as the highest team total ever at UK. The following week, Kentucky rewrote the record books again with an outstanding 197.10 at home to beat then-No. 11 Auburn. Let's take a look at this impressive start for the Wildcats. 

Highlights from Kentucky's record breaking night at Florida: 
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Impressive Start 

Kentucky opened the 2017 season with an emphatic 195.075 to 192.05 victory at Eastern Michigan . Freshman Mollie Korth picked up her first all-around title with a 39.075. The Wildcats were able to avoid counting a fall to post a solid score. Alex Hyland posted the top score for the Wildcats with a 9.875 on beam. 


In week two, the Wildcats turned up the heat as they traveled to Florida for their first Southeastern Conference matchup. Kentucky showed that it was up for the big challenge against the host Gators by scoring a 196.95 and finishing within a point of Florida. Mollie Korth won her second consecutive all-around title (tie) with an outstanding 39.575. Korth also took home the floor title (tie) with a 9.925. In this record-breaking meet, the Wildcats posted a 49.1 or better on all four events, with a meet high of 49.325 on floor. Kentucky was led by its all-arounders and had three gymnasts post a 39.3 or higher. The all-arounders include  Korth (39.575), Hyland (39.45) and Sidney Dukes (39.375). 

In its most recent competition, UK continued to impress by breaking records again in the Wildcats' first home competition against Auburn. The Wildcats posted a new team-record score of 197.10. Once again, Korth won the all-around with a 39.450. The Wildcats posted a huge 49.525 on floor (second highest in UK history) to finish out their record night. Kentucky was confident on beam and it showed with a 49.425, led by Sidney Dukes with a 9.95. The Wildcats won all four events against the Tigers along with the all-around to pick up their first SEC win of the season and improve to 2-1 on the year.     

Game Changers 

Mollie Korth: She has been an outstanding all-arounder for the Wildcats this season. In her first three meets, Korth has won the all-around every meet with a career high of 39.575. Although just a freshman, Korth will be a key gymnast for the Wildcats this season. She has showed toughness coming up with big routines following a fall. Korth has early career highs of 9.875 (vault), 9.90 (bars), 9.875 (beam), 9.95 (floor), 39.575 (all-around). 

Cori Rechenmacher:  ​The junior is contributing on three events this season for the Wildcats. Rechenmacher has hit each routine this season on bars, beam and floor. She has shown improvement each meet posting a 9.8 or higher in her last competition. Rechenmacher is an experienced upperclassman who has one of the most important roles for the Wildcats as leadoff on beam.

Katie Stuart and Sidney Dukes: The sophomores have also been key contributors early this season for Kentucky in the all-around. Both gymnasts have competed each weekend in the all-around to help the Wildcats in their record-breaking start. Dukes has posted a season best of 39.425 with an impressive high of 9.95 on beam. Stuart has showed great improvement already this season with an all-around high of 39.425.


Related: 
​Final: Florida Wins Home Opener Against Kentucky