Junior Delaynee Rodriguez, center, believes competing on equipment UK gymnasts are used to does provide an edge in the NCAA Regional . (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky gymnastics will host a NCAA regional April 2-3-5 in Memorial Coliseum with tickets going on sale March 4th.
“I’m excited for the crowd. It’s going to be packed in there,” junior gymnast Cecily Rizo, who won her first all-around title against Georgia last week, said.
Freshman Gabby Van Frayen, who has two beam titles and one on bars this season, will be competing in her first regional.
“I am just excited it will be at home in a place that I am now comfortable,” she said.
Rizo believes hosting the regional is an advantage because Kentucky will be competing on equipment it has been on all season.
“When you go somewhere new, you’re only on that equipment one time, and so you really have to adjust very quickly,” Rizo said. “So being able to be on that same equipment really helps you settle in and kind of calms those nerves that you might have had somewhere else.”
Van Frayen said every arena is different and can have unique lighting and that some mats might have a “little more squish” than other mats.
Junior Delaynee Rodriguez, who ranks in the top five nationally in the all-around and has 13 event wins this season, confirms the “home equipment” is an edge.
“A beam is a beam and yes, it’s four inches wide but I think sometimes they feel different. Sometimes they’re more slippery. Sometimes they’re rounded on the sides,” Rodriguez said. “Even on bars if you pull the cables too tight, the bars feel tight or maybe feel slippery.
“When you go to different equipment and different gyms, it just might feel a little bit different. You have to adjust that. That’s just the sport. I think at least for me, and I think most of our girls, when you’re on your own equipment, it’s just like, ‘I’ve been on this equipment multiple times, I’ve hit good routines on this same exact bar multiple times, I’m going to be good.’ I think it’s more of a mental thing, but it really is a big deal.”
Rizo also believes the home crowd helps uplift the UK gymnasts.
“I feel like whenever Kentucky comes out, everyone is cheering and they are so excited to watch us compete and see a good competition. They’re so fully invested and want to see us succeed,” Rizo said.
