Williams Gets SEC Specialist of the Week Nod
After a record performance in Arkansas’ first home meet of the season, Lauren Williams has been named SEC Co-Specialist of the Week, the conference announced on Tuesday.
Williams competed vault and floor in the No. 8 Gymbacks’ contest against No. 11 Auburn on Sunday and both appearances helped propel Arkansas to its first victory of the season. The redshirt junior started her day on vault, where she delivered a stuck Yurchenko 1.5 that scored 9.975, a new career high and good for the event title. The score also ties the individual program record and Williams is just one of five Gymbacks to ever hit the mark on vault.
Through two meets, Williams’ vault average sits at 9.938, which puts her at No. 1 in the national rankings. Behind her at No. 2 is Olympic gold medalist and UCLA star Jordan Chiles, whose vault average is 9.933 this season, including a Perfect 10. It’s the second time in Lauren’s career she’s been ranked No. 1, the last a No. 1 ranking on floor in week two of the 2024 season, which she shared with teammate Frankie Price.
The Rogers native made her season debut on floor against Auburn after not competing the event in over a year. She put up a solid routine that went 9.850, which tied for fourth place.
The weekly honor is the third of Williams’ career. She previously won Specialist of the Week on March 12, 2024, which was also the last weekly nod for Arkansas. On Jan. 23, 2023, she was named SEC Freshman of the Week.
The Gymbacks stay at home for a non-conference meet against SEMO on Friday, Jan. 23 at 7:15 p.m. at Bud Walton Arena. Tickets are available online, by phone, or in person. The contest will be broadcast live on SEC Network+ and live scoring will be provided by Virtius.
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