LITTLE ROCK — SEC gymnastics meet heading back to NLR
The SEC Gymnastics Championships are returning to central Arkansas.
SEC officials announced Thursday that the 2013 SEC meet will be held March 23 at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock. North Little Rock also was the host site of the 2007 SEC meet.
“Verizon Center is a great venue, and we can’t wait to walk into the arena hearing the roar of Razorback Nation,” said Arkansas co-Coach Mark Cook, whose Razorbacks have earned nine consecutive bids to the NCAA Regionals in their 10-year history and have advanced to the NCAA Championship six times in the past seven years and to the NCAA Super Six twice.
The eight-team meet will use a new format this season with the addition of Missouri to the conference. It will consist of two sessions of four schools each (seeds 5-8 and seeds 1-4), with seedings based on regional qualifying scores.
“This format will be much more audience-friendly,” Arkansas’ co-Coach Rene Lyst said. “The last time the meet was in North Little Rock we had an impressive crowd. With the success of the program in the past few years, we look to top that.”
Tickets for the SEC meet go on sale Nov. 1 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or online at www.SECDigitalNetwork.com.
YOUTH SPORTS
Forrest selected as AAU president
Henry Forrest of Little Rock has been appointed as the new president of the Amateur Athletic Union. Forrest assumes the role after the sudden death of former president Louis Stout.
Forrest has held multiple leadership roles within the AAU for more than 20 years.
“Mr. Forrest has been around the AAU for a long time and knows what our organization needs to continue to be successful in the future,” said James Parker, Vice President of Operations for the AAU. “I am looking forward to working for Henry, a man who is full of integrity and always does what is right for our AAU members.”
“No words can adequately express our sadness at Louis Stout’s passing or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with him,” Forrest said. “I am honored to step in and assist our organization during this transition to make us stronger. I can assure you, the AAU will continue to be the industry leader in youth sports now and for years to come.”
Prior to stepping in as president, Forrest served in multiple capacities for the AAU including: AAU first and second vice president, Arkansas Boys Basketball Director and the chairman of the AAU Compliance Committee.
VOLLEYBALL
UCA rallies, wins on road
Taylor Hammonds finished with 16 kills, Alicia Dittrich, Jessica Hays and Heather Schnars each had 15 kills and Central Arkansas (15-1, 4-1 Southland Conference) rallied to beat Northwestern (La.) State (11-6, 3-2) 22-25, 25-21, 21-25, 25-23, 15-8 on Thursday night in Natchitoches, La.
Jessica Nagy added 10 kills. Marissa Collins led the Sugar Bear offense with 59 assists and added 26 digs and 2 blocks.
Sports, Pages 26 on 09/28/2012