By Marty Gordon
Christiansburg gymnast Raena Worley, a junior, has been named a first-team All-American gymnast after qualifying from the University of Kentucky for the NCAA Championship April 14-16 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Worley will be competing for the all-around following her most recent win in the second round, first session of the NCAA Auburn Regional. She has won the award seven times throughout her 2022 junior season, winning 13 times overall throughout her college career.
Her highest mark of 39.750, which she scored against Missouri and Michigan State, is the highest individual all-around performance for Kentucky in the regular season since 1996. The top-three all-around performance scores for the Wildcats are held by three-time NCAA Champion, Jenny Hansen (1993-96). Worley’s 39.750 is the fourth-best all-around performance tally in program history.
Throughout the season, Worley set numerous career and season records including a 9.925 on vault, 9.950 on bars and a 9.975 on the floor exercise. She tied both her top beam (9.950) and floor score at the regional final.
The Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association Thursday named Worley a 2022 Regular Season All-American. She earned first-team All-American honors on three different events, including first-team on the All-Around.
In addition to her first-team honors, Worley received two second-team All-American awards. She tied for 11th place on the uneven bars at the NCAA championships, which earned her a second team nod in that event. Worley also received a ninth-place ranking on the Floor Exercise, which secured her a spot on the All-American second team.
Worley was also voted to the 2022 All-Southeastern Conference First Team.
