Lexington, KY – In a high-stakes regular-season finale this past Friday, March 13, No. 22 Kentucky celebrated Senior Night with a spirited performance, posting a 197.225 — their highest score ever inside the newly renovated Memorial Coliseum. Although the total fell short of No. 3 Florida’s massive 198.575, the Wildcats walked away with several individual victories and significant momentum heading into the postseason. The Gators’ score set a new national high for the 2026 season, but Kentucky’s grit was the story of the night for the home crowd.

➡️  Kentucky vs Florida photos

The Wildcats ignited the Coliseum in the very first rotation on vault, posting a season-high 49.350. The highlight came from sophomore Anna Flynn Cashion, who delivered a stunning front handspring pike half with a stuck landing to earn a 9.95. The score secured Cashion the individual vault title, her third of the season, and proved the Wildcats could match the Gators’ power right out of the gate.

Kentucky faced adversity during the uneven bars rotation, finishing with a 49.100. Despite a fall early in the lineup that forced the team to count some lower scores, the Wildcats remained composed. Ryan Noonan led the way with a team-high 9.85, and junior Delaynee Rodriguez anchored the set with a clean 9.825. While Florida pulled ahead with a near-perfect bars rotation, Kentucky’s ability to “save” the event without a second major error kept the energy in the building high.

The momentum shifted back in Kentucky’s favor on the balance beam, where they posted a solid 49.275. The rotation featured a career-defining performance from Delaynee Rodriguez, who earned a personal-best 9.95 in the anchor spot. One judge even rewarded the routine with a perfect 10.0, and the score was enough to give Rodriguez a share of the beam title alongside Florida’s Selena Harris-Miranda. This marked the sixth consecutive meet where the UK beam squad has surpassed the 49.2 mark, signaling a major turnaround for the event this season.

Kentucky saved their most electric performance for the final rotation on the floor exercise, earning a season-best 49.500. All-American Creslyn Brose put an exclamation point on the evening, anchoring the rotation with a 9.95 to claim a share of the floor title. The underclassmen  also made their mark, with Chesney Bennett, Callie Gardner, and Delaynee Rodriguez each contributing 9.90s to ensure the graduating class went out with a performance to remember.

With the regular season concluded, the Wildcats head to the SEC Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on March 21 as the No. 9 seed. While they will compete in the afternoon session, their performance against Florida — especially the three individual event titles and a season-high home score — suggests they are a dangerous “spoiler” team capable of pushing for a podium spot.