Gymnastics Upends No. 11 Michigan in Home Opener
1/31/2003 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The No. 2 ranked Alabama Gymnastics team was just glad to be home Friday night after going through its first four meets of the season on the road, but that didn't mean that they forgot to take care of business against No. 11 Michigan.
The Crimson Tide beat the Wolverines 197.200-196.525. The Tide's score matched its season best, scored last weekend at Arkansas and for the Wolverines it was a season best. Alabama was spurred to its fourth consecutive 197-plus score by a 49.525 on the floor exercise and a season best 49.325 on the uneven bars. The Wolverines posted their season best marks on each event except the floor exercise.
"It was nice to wake up in my own bed this morning," Alabama head coach Sarah Patterson said with a laugh. "I'd almost forgotten what that was like on meet day. I think our ladies enjoyed being at home this morning and afternoon and I know they liked being at home tonight."
Junior Jeana Rice continued her high scoring tear. A week after spraining her ankle at Nebraska, Rice bettered her career best mark in the all-around for the second time this season. Her 39.750, good for the win, was paced by a career best 9.975 on the uneven bars. Rice scored 9.925s on the other three apparatus.
Senior Kristin Sterner posted her season best in the all-around, going 39.550 to tie with Michigan's Calli Ryals for second place. That mark was just .05 off her career best all-around score. The Ionia, Mich. native bettered or tied her season best scores on three of four events.
Junior Stephanie Kite tied her career best score on the floor exercise and vault, chipping in a 9.900 and 9.825 respectively to the team's total. Freshman Mari Bayer posted a career high on the vault and floor exercise, earning 9.825 and 9.900 respectively Rookie Dana Filetti scored a career best 9.825 on the uneven bars while sophomore Michelle Reeser's 9.900 on the balance beam was a career high. Freshman Larissa Stewart made her Crimson Tide debut against the Wolverines, scoring a 9.650 on the uneven bars.
The news wasn't all good for the Crimson Tide though. Freshman phenom Ashley Miles is out of the Alabama lineup after injuring her knee in practice Wednesday on a uneven bars dismount. Miles had some discomfort in her knee but shook it off. Later examination showed that the tendon in her knee had pulled a bone chip out of her patella. The Austin, Texas native will be examined by Dr. James Andrews at the beginning of the week.
Alabama takes back to the road next weekend, traveling to the Mile High City, to face the No. 8 ranked Denver University Pioneers Saturday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. MT.
Alabama Vault Bars Beam Floor All-Around
Mari Bayer *9.825 -- 9.650 *9.900 --
Dana Filetti -- *9.825 -- -- --
Lauren Holdefer 9.725 -- -- 9.825 --
Shannon Hrozek 9.775 9.800 9.825 -- --
Stephanie Kite *9.825 -- -- *9.900 --
Dana Pierce -- -- 9.325 -- --
Michelle Reeser -- 9.825 *9.900 9.850 --
Jeana Rice 9.925 *9.975 9.925 #9.925 *39.750
Kristin Sterner #9.850 #9.900 9.850 #9.900 #39.550
Larissa Stewart -- *9.650 -- -- --
Alabama Totals 49.200 49.325 49.150 49.525 197.200
* career best # season best
Michigan Vault Bars Beam Floor All-Around
Becca Clauson 9.925 -- 9.850 9.825 --
Jenny Deiley 9.900 9.875 9.700 9.625 39.100
Janessa Grieco 9.850 9.175 9.900 9.900 38.825
Chelsea Kroll 9.850 9.750 -- 9.775 --
Lauren Mirkovich 9.750 9.800 7.925 -- --
Kara Rosella -- -- 9.750 9.550 --
Erica Rubin -- 9.700 -- -- --
Calli Ryals 9.775 9.850 9.975 9.950 39.550
Michigan Totals 49.300 48.975 49.175 49.075 194.475
