Grable earns “Primetime Performer” honor

FAYETTEVILLE, AR. – Arkansas sophomore All-American Katherine Grable has been recognized for her performance in last week’s Cancun Classic by earning the “Primetime Performer of the Week” award for gymnastics from CollegeSports360.com.

The site selected top efforts for the Jan. 2-8 week in the sports of men’s and women’s basketball, women’s swimming, football, skiing, men’s and women’s hockey, wrestling and women’s gymnastics.

Three women’s gymnasts were mentioned, but Grable is the top performer of the week after winning the all-around title in Cancun with a 39.275. Grable’s performance helped Arkansas win the team title with a 196.45, which is a school record for a season-opener and was the second-best score in the nation for the opening weekend.

Arkansas won the five-team meet with wins over No. 19 Arizona, No. 17 Auburn, No. 25 Iowa and No. 12 LSU.

In addition to winning the all-around, Grable also won beam with a career-high 9.925. The Oshkosh, Wis., native also tied for second on vault with a 9.90, which matches her career high, and she placed second on floor with a 9.875.

Razorbacks claimed all the individual titles with senior All-American Jaime Pisani winning vault with a 9.925 and floor with a 9.90, and senior Mariah Howdeshell winning bars with a 9.925, which matches the second-best score in school history.

Arkansas opens its home schedule this week with its Southeastern Conference opener against No. 23 Kentucky in Barnhill Arena on Friday at 7 p.m.