In its first-ever appearance in the National Championship semifinals, the UK gymnastics team was eliminated at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Missouri, on Friday night. The Cats finished sixth in the standings with a 196.0625.

Oklahoma, Florida and Utah placed in the top three in that order. They will advance to the Super Six tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET. California and Washington were also eliminated. 

After going on bye for the first rotation, the Cats opened the second rotation on bars. Katie Carlisle, Ella Warren and Katie Stuart each started off with a 9.8, and Katrina Coca had a 9.3250 and Alex Hyland had a 9.2625. Mollie Korth finished the Cats off with a 9.875.

The team’s 48.600 score on bars is its second-lowest score this season.

UK’s response on the beam in the third rotation wasn’t much different. Despite another 9.8 from Stuart and a 9.8375 from Korth, Hyland struggled again with a 9.25. Hyland’s beam score was her lowest score this season.

For the sixth time this season, the Cats scored below a 49 on the beam with a 48.9875.

By the end of the third rotation, with all teams having played at least two rotations, Kentucky was ranked last with a 97.5875. The Cats were 0.975 points behind the third place Utah Utes.

After going on another bye for the fourth rotation, the Cats looked to climb back up in the standings. They did better than they did in their last two rounds; UK had a 49.2250 on the floor.

Korth and Ella Warren had a 9.8625 each. Hyland had a 9.8500 – her best score of the night. Sidney Dukes, who had a 9.925 on the floor twice this year, had a 9.825. This was only the third time Dukes scored a 9.825 or lower this year.

In their final event on the vault, the Cats had their best performance of the night with a 49.2500. Korth had a 9.925 for the second time this year and for the fifth time in her career.

Korth was also tied for fourth place among all vault competitors.

Danaea Davis and Alaina Kwan contributed with a 9.8625 and 9.85 each, respectively. 

Hyland had another season low with a 9.3375 on the vault.

Hyland and Korth were Kentucky’s only all-arounders. Hyland had a 37.700 and Korth had a 39.500. Korth was .125 away from tying her season high on the all-around. 

Kentucky finished the season with a 9-4 record, including its performances at the NCAA Regionals and the SEC Championships.