Alabama Gymnastics Beats No. 17 Arkansas, 197.325-196.450
2/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
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TUSCALOOSA, ALA – The No. 3 ranked Alabama Gymnastics team closed out its home season with a 197.325-196.450 win over No. 17 Arkansas here in Coleman Coliseum tonight, sending the senior trio of Lauren Holdefer, Stephanie Kite and Jeana Rice with a bang.
It was a teary-eyed moment for those three and senior manager Allison Spidle, as they came together after the last routine with red and white confetti falling all around them for a group hug and one last wave to the home crowd. The 9,138 fans in attendance pushed Alabama’s season average to 10,283, the second best in school history and the third best nationally over the past decade.
“This is just a great venue for these ladies,” head coach Sarah Patterson said of her seniors. “They have worked really hard and put so much into this program and into performing at their absolute peak for the fans. It was just really, really nice for them to able to go out one last time in Coleman Coliseum and show our fans how much they mean to us.”
But Rice was quick to point out that she and her teammates were far from done with the season.
“This was great, and our fans mean the world to us, they are the best,” Rice said. “But we have one more dual meet and then we have the post season. Tonight was awesome but we still have work to do.”
Rice won her fourth all-around competition of the season with a 39.575 while junior Shannon Hrozek put together a 39.325 to take second. The Lady Razorbacks’ 196.450 tied their school record while the Tide’s score was its seventh consecutive 197-plus score.
The Tide finished off the night strong, posting a 49.475 on the floor exercise, its third best floor total of the season. Rice wrapped up her final home meet with a 9.925 to share top honors with Brion. Kite and Holdefer concluded their home careers by matching their season best marks of 9.90 and 9.875 respectively.
As befitting of her senior leader status, Rice posted a meet best 9.975 on the vault, pacing the Tide to a 49.375. Junior Shannon Hrozek once again got the Tide off to a strong start on the vault, scoring a 9.900, her fourth consecutive mark of 9.9 or better. Holdefer tied her career best on the vault, posting a 9.850.
In rotation two, Alabama had three gymnasts, Hrozek, once again in the lead off spot, Rice and sophomore Mari Bayer, all post 9.875s, leading to a 49.325 team score. Alabama scored a 49.150 on the balance beam, led by Brion, who made her first collegiate foray into the competitive balance beam line-up a routine to remember, posting a 9.900 to win the event.
Alabama is off from competition next weekend before finishing off the regular season on the road at Michigan Friday, March 12.
PHOTO GALLERY
Mari Bayer looks toward the sky.
Alexis Brion working hard on the beam.
The Dads lead the fans in the YMCA.
Dana Filetti makes a pass on the bars.
Shannon Hrozek performs her floor routine.
Senior Stephanie Kite is recognized by the fans, along with her family.
Sarah Patterson watches the action.
Dana Pierce wraps up her floor routine.
Jeana Rice leaps high...
... and performs beautifully on the floor routine.
Alabama's seniors embrace each other in their last home meet.
