‘A perfect example.’ Senior star Mollie Korth leads UK gymnastics into Excite Night.
From the early days of Mollie Korth’s gymnastics journey in her small hometown of Cambridge, Wis., she had a clear vision of the road she wanted to take when it came to college.
“I love the SEC, I’ve always wanted to be a part of SEC gymnastics. It’s the best in the country and I really wanted to experience that,” said the University of Kentucky senior, who began competing in meets at age 7.
To pursue that opportunity, Korth contacted coaches throughout the Southeastern Conference and sent out videos of her routines.
“I really tried my best to put myself out there. I wasn’t an amazing club gymnast, I wasn’t getting looked at a whole lot,” Korth said.
But once UK assistant coach Rachel Garrison got a peek at her in action, Korth got her break. Garrison contacted Korth after watching her highlight videos on YouTube. That set in motion a standout career with the Wildcats.
“They flew out to Wisconsin and watched me practice and flew to some of my meets,” Korth said. “They did a really good job with the recruiting aspect, and here I am.”
Now, Korth is on a mission to lead UK to the program’s second-ever team appearance in the NCAA championship meet in her final season as a Wildcat. The next step on that road comes Friday night when 12th-ranked UK hosts No. 8 Missouri during Excite Night in Rupp Arena. Last year, a record crowd of 12,472 watched the Wildcats knock off No. 14 Arkansas in their annual promotion to open the home schedule. They host the remainder of their home matches in Memorial Coliseum.
“To make it back to the NCAAs as a team would be an amazing way to finish off my gymnastics career,” Korth said. “The seniors last year did such a great job building this program and I want to mark my name in this program as one of the best. Hopefully I can continue to do that this season.”
UK made its first team appearance in the NCAA championships in 2018, when Korth was a sophomore. Last year, the ninth-seeded Wildcats’ run ended in the Athens Regional at the hands of No. 8 Georgia. It was the third straight season in which UK earned a national seed. The program had never received a national seed before that streak began. Korth is one of four seniors tasked with helping a young team maintain that upward trajectory.
UK Coach Tim Garrison (the husband of Rachel Garrison) called Korth “absolutely critical” when it comes to sustaining UK’s recent string of success.
“She’s our competitive leader. She’s our floor general,” Tim Garrison said. “She is a perfect example of how to perform as a collegiate athlete. With the young team that we have it’s important to see her example. ‘OK, I’m supposed to look like her. I’m supposed to perform like that. Here’s how I handle it when things go well, here’s how I handle it when things maybe aren’t perfect but I can still make the most of the situation.’
“That’s what she brings to this team. She brought different things last year when we had a more experienced team and a larger class of seniors. Now, with this team, she brings that experience and that perfect example of what you need to be successful.”
Korth’s senior campaign is already off to a strong start. During last week’s tough season-opening loss at No. 5 Utah (196.425-195.350), she led the Cats with four routines that drew marks of 9.800 or better, earning Southeastern Conference Gymnast of the Week honors for the first time in her career. She’s the fifth different UK gymnast to win the award and first since Andrea Mitchell in 2011.
Korth said she has bittersweet feelings heading into the final Excite Night of her career.
“I’m really excited, but I’m also a little bit sad,” she said. “I love competing in Rupp, and to know we’re going to go out and have a lot of fun in front of a good crowd is exciting.”
▪ Disney Channel star Sky Katz, known best for her starring role as Tess O’Malley on the hit series “Raven’s Home,” will headline Excite Night as a special guest and performer. She is scheduled to perform prior to the meet at 5:30 p.m. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.
Excite Night will also feature face paintings, a photo booth, post-meet autographs from the UK athletes and several giveaway prizes.
Excite Night
No. 8 Missouri at No. 12 Kentucky
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: Rupp Arena
TV: SEC Network
Tickets: UKAthleticsTix.com
