Waltz representing UK in gymnastics NCAA nationals
April 17, 2015
By: Jordan Ondrof
UK freshman gymnast Sydney Waltz qualified for the NCAA Gymnastics National Championships and will represent the Cats at the competition in Fort Worth, Texas, on Friday.
Waltz is the first UK gymnast to qualify for the NCAA National Championships since Aronda Primault in 2002, and is just the 12th gymnast in program history to ever qualify.
Waltz was one of 12 all-around competitors in the country to qualify for the event after scoring a 39.125 at the NCAA Regional Championships on April 4.
The championship field also includes the event winners who were not part of an advancing team at the six regionals. UK finished in sixth place at its regional event with a score of 195.450, the third-highest regionals score in program history. Waltz led her team with a 9.850 on floor and scored a 9.800 on the vault.
The top four gymnasts in each event from Friday’s semifinals will compete in the individual final competition on Sunday.
Waltz’s qualification for the NCAA Championships is part of her impressive first year at UK. She was named to the SEC All-Freshman team this season, along with fellow freshman Cori Rechenmacher. Waltz was also named to the All-SEC team this season, along with sophomore teammate Taylor Puryear.
Friday’s first session will begin at 2 p.m.