Kentucky Gymnastics Aims to Upset No. 7 Arkansas

The Wildcats have improved in recent meets and look to continue their momentum against a top-ranked SEC foe.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Kentucky's gymnastics team has only one win so far this season, but the Wildcats have been steadily improving and recently broke into the top 25 rankings. They will face their toughest test yet tonight against No. 7 Arkansas. Kentucky has scored over 196 in three straight meets, led by standout performances from juniors Delaynee Rodriguez and Creslyn Brose. The Wildcats are confident they can pull off an upset against their highly-ranked SEC rival.

Why it matters

Kentucky's gymnastics program is looking to rebound from a slow start to the season and prove they can compete with the top teams in the SEC and nationally. A win over a top-10 opponent like Arkansas would be a major boost to the team's confidence and NCAA Tournament hopes.

The details

Kentucky (1-7, 1-3 SEC) has seen strong performances lately from juniors Delaynee Rodriguez and Creslyn Brose. Rodriguez has won the all-around in five meets this season and is ranked 4th nationally with a 39.455 NQS. She has also won events on uneven bars and floor exercise. Brose, a two-time All-American, has won the floor exercise in the last three meets and has the 3rd-highest floor average in the country at 9.938.

  • Kentucky will face No. 7 Arkansas tonight (February 20, 2026).
  • The Wildcats will then host No. 6 Georgia on February 26, travel to No. 3 Alabama on March 6, and end the regular season hosting No. 4 Florida on March 13.

The players

Tim Garrison

The head coach of the Kentucky gymnastics team.

Cecily Rizo

A junior on the Kentucky gymnastics team who has competed in every meet since joining the team in 2024.

Delaynee Rodriguez

A junior on the Kentucky gymnastics team who is ranked 4th nationally in the all-around with a 39.455 NQS.

Creslyn Brose

A junior on the Kentucky gymnastics team and two-time All-American who has the 3rd-highest floor exercise average in the country at 9.938.

Chesney Bennett

A sophomore on the Kentucky gymnastics team who matched her career-best score of 9.900 on balance beam.

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What they’re saying

“There is definitely way more to come. Obviously, that was not the start that we wanted to get this season, and we didn't we definitely did not want to stay there at all because this was not who Kentucky Gymnastics has been. This is not where we want to be.”

— Cecily Rizo, Junior, Kentucky Gymnastics (yoursportsedge.com)

“We're in the running to go to nationals. Don't any of you count us out. All of us have been pushing in the gym to be that top team.”

— Cecily Rizo, Junior, Kentucky Gymnastics (yoursportsedge.com)

“Watch us get an upset. I'm not used to competing week by week, but I actually love it. At first, I was a little nervous. I thought I might get tired. But I think that we just keep building and building and we just get on this roll and we'll keep going and make it to the top.”

— Gabby Van Frayen, Freshman, Kentucky Gymnastics (yoursportsedge.com)

What’s next

After competing at Arkansas tonight, Kentucky returns home to host No. 6 Georgia on Feb. 26, goes to No. 3 Alabama on March 6 and ends regular season competition hosting No. 4 Florida on March 13.

The takeaway

Kentucky's gymnastics team has shown significant improvement in recent meets and believes they can pull off an upset against highly-ranked SEC opponents like Arkansas. A win over a top-10 team would be a major boost for the program as they look to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.