| NEWS No. 4 Alabama gymnastics was lights-out to put away third-ranked Missouri in its home opener to start SEC competition

 

[UA Press Release]

Season-High Performances Propel No. 4 Alabama to Top-Five Victory - University of Alabama Athletics

A season-high team score (197.225) and a trio of season-high rotation scores on the uneven bars (49.550), balance beam (49.100) and floor exercise (49.450) highlighted

rolltide.com

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The No. 4 Alabama gymnastics program defeated the No. 3 Missouri Tigers, 197.225 – 196.475, in its first Southeastern Conference match-up and first home meet of the season. The Crimson Tide rolled to a season-high score in front of an energetic crowd inside Coleman Coliseum.

Alabama (4-0) got off to an early lead in its opening rotation and led the entirety of the meet. The Crimson Tide recorded a season-high 49.550 on the uneven bars, which would rank third, nationally, prior to Friday's meet. Entering the final rotation, Missouri (3-1) trimmed Alabama's lead to 147.775 – 147.675 before the Tide rolled through its floor exercise lineup to secure a season-high 49.450 event total to claim the victory.

Luisa Blanco claimed three individual titles on the night – all-around (39.675), uneven bars (9.950) and the floor exercise (9.925), giving her four titles through the first two meets of the season. Mati Waligora made her super-senior debut on the uneven bars, scoring 9.875.

Through Alabama's first two meets, Gabby Gladieux has scored a 9.9 or higher on back-to-back floor routines. On the uneven bars, Cameron Machado has earned consecutive 9.9-or-higher scores, while freshman Chloe LaCoursiere has posted two-straight career-high scores as leadoff.

Head Coach Ashley Johnston Said​

"I'm really excited about how the team rose to the challenge tonight. I thought they did a really good job of resetting throughout the meet. There were some great performances and there were also a few performances that were disappointing – just in a sense of not being quite where they've been at training, day in and day out, but they didn't let that get to them. They showed great resilience, great toughness, and were able to press the reset button to be able to create and build momentum. They never let that impact them and never let that impact their energy and I think because of that, they were able to really take off near the end, especially on that floor rotation – building off of one another and end the meet on a really high note.

"The crowd was so energetic and loud tonight, and it was really awesome to have our students right there on the floor. There's just nothing like competing in Coleman – it's so electric, and we're very thankful for the crowd's support, along with our entire Tuscaloosa community. It really makes winning special.

Inside the Score Sheet​

• Leading by only 0.10 heading into the final rotation, Alabama posted a season-high 49.450 event total on floor to secure the victory over the third-ranked Missouri Tigers
• Super senior Mati Waligora made her season debut on the uneven bars, scoring a 9.875
• Along with the Crimson Tide's season-high rotation score on floor, Alabama also posted a season-high score on bars – 49.550, as the lowest-counted scorer for UA finished higher than Missouri's full lineup in the same event
• Gabby Gladieux has scored a 9.9-or-higher in back-to-back meets on the floor exercise
• On the uneven bars, Cameron Machado has racked up consecutive 9.9-or-higher scores, while freshman Chloe LaCoursiere dropped a 9.925 Friday night after first scoring a 9.9 in last week's collegiate debut
• Luisa Blanco secured her first titles of the season in all-around (39.675) and floor exercise (9.925) and racked up her second uneven bars title (9.950) in as many meets to begin her final season at Alabama

Up Next​

• The Crimson Tide will return to Tuscaloosa, Ala., for a matchup against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Friday, Jan. 19, at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on SEC Network
• The meet versus the Razorbacks will be the Tide's annual Capes and Crowns Night

 

[BamaFan334]

Roll Tide. We have looked very strong so far.