Gymnastics Beats Auburn on the Plains, 196.175-194.450
1/27/2006 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Gymnastics Beats Auburn on the Plains, 196.175-194.450
AUBURN, Ala. ?? Paced by a season best vault score, Alabama scored a season best 196.175 to beat Auburn here in Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum tonight.
Alabama goes to 9-0-0 overall and 2-0-0 in the Southeastern Conference while Auburn after scoring a 194.450, goes to 2-6 and 0-2. The Crimson Tide extended its 27-year year winning streak against Auburn.
"Beating the Auburn Tigers never gets old, even after 27 years," Alabama head coach Sarah Patterson said. "The pressure and the magnitude of this event never ceases to amaze me. Auburn had everything to gain tonight and we had everything to lose. But I saw our team grow and mature in front of my eyes tonight and that is very gratifying. We've had a couple of rough days and we juggled the lineup and we moved forward, and for that, I am grateful."
Senior Ashley Miles threw a season best 9.975 to win the vault. Sophomore Terin Humphrey won the uneven bars with a 9.85. Freshman Melanie Banville won the floor exercise with a 9.925 while classmate Cassie Martin won the balance beam with a 9.900.
"We had a few different people make mistakes tonight," Patterson said. "But certainly freshmen Brittany Magee and Melanie Banville, each performing on three events, had inspiring performances. I though Melanie was just exceptional on floor exercise."
Sophomore Kaitlin White got Alabama's night started with a 9.8 on the uneven bars while Humphrey posted a meet best 9.85 to finish off the set, pacing the Tide to a 49.025. Martin chipped in a 9.825 and Banville scored a 9.8. The Tigers scored a 48.100 on the uneven bars.
Miles, who had been slowed by the flu all week, made her one routine of the season count, posting a 9.975 to win the vault, leading the Tide to a 49.425. Alabama's team total was more than 2/10ths better than its previous season high.
"Ashley Miles continues to lead by example and mental toughness," Patterson said. "She hadn't touched the equipment since Monday and yet she landed what I thought was a perfect vault tonight. I was also very pleased with the job Dana Filetti did as well, it was a great vault."
Freshman Brittany Magee turned in a season high 9.9 on the vault while senior Dana Filetti's 9.875 was also a season high and just off her career best of 9.9. Freshmen Ashley O'Neal, 9.85, and Banville, 9.825, both tied their season high. Auburn posted a season high over their own on the vault, turning in a 49.100.
Alabama came away with a 49.175 on the floor exercise anchored by Banville's 9.925. Magee added a 9.85 in the fourth spot while Humphrey got thing started on the floor with a 9.825. Auburn scored a 48.975 on the floor.
Junior Erin Rightley came up clutch for the Tide on the balance beam following a fall by O'Neal, scoring a 9.850, which ties her career best mark. Freshman Cassie Martin kept the ball rolling with a 9.900 on the beam, tying her own career best mark. Humphrey closed out the night with a 9.825, pushing Alabama to a 48.550 team score. The Tigers scored a 48.275 on the balance beam.
"Erin Rightley really stepped up big for us tonight, coming up with a great routine on the beam tonight after a fall from the gymnast ahead of her," Patterson said. "The confidence she is now competing with is so evident and she has earned not only her spot in the lineup but the respect of her teammates."
Alabama takes on Kentucky next Friday in Lexington before returning home against Georgia on Feb. 10. It will be the first time the Bulldogs have been in Tuscaloosa since 2004. Tickets are available online at www.rolltide.com and at the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262) located in the lobby of Coleman Coliseum.
