Isabella Magnelli (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky gymnastics has wins over No. 3 Alabama and No. 11 Auburn but coach Tim Garrison knows there will be no margin for error at No. 1 Oklahoma on Friday night.
“Against a team like Oklahoma, weaknesses will show up quickly because they have very few of them,” said Garrison. “But I do think if we perform well, I think that we can put up a solid performance, and we’ll see where it goes from there.
“They’re gonna be tough. There’s no question about it. Obviously, the number one team in the country, but we’re excited about that challenge.”
Garrison hopes there is one edge Kentucky will have.
“I don’t think they’re gonna be rattled necessarily, but don’t think they’re used to coming out of the big 12, going against tough competition every week (in the SEC). When they looked up (at the score), that’s closer than we like. It’s closer than we’re used to seeing. So I think at some point, and hopefully that’ll be this Friday, that’ll take a toll on them.”
Both Oklahoma and Texas joined the SEC this year. Garrison joked that when he was asked recently what he liked about having the Sooners in the SEC, he said there was “not one single thing I like about having Oklahoma in the conference if I’m being completely honest.”
He said Oklahoma always has a strong program and “amazing” coaching staff.
“The athletes that they bring in are amazing. They perform at the highest levels. So they’re a great team. It’s just increased the depth and increased competition (in the SEC),” Garrison said. “Last year, we wouldn’t be heading to Oklahoma to compete against the number one team in the country this weekend but that allows us an opportunity to go against the best.
“If you’re going into the SEC championship, and you look around and everybody’s good, everybody’s great, you know, you need to be used to being in those situations. That’s the situation we’ll be getting in on Friday night. Every weekend in the SEC is like that.”
