Gymnastics Freshmen Hold Down Top-2 Positions in National Rankings
1/29/2007 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ?? Alabama Gymnastics coach Sarah Patterson has said all along that the Crimson Tide would be dependent on its freshman class to be successful this season, but even she may not have foreseen how successful those rookies would be right out of the gate.
Freshmen Morgan Dennis and Kassi Price are currently first and second respectively in both the all-around and floor exercise rankings. This week marks Dennis' second in the No. 1 slot on the floor exercise. She is also No. 8 on the vault while Price, who was No. 1 in the all-around a week ago, is ninth on the uneven bars, 11th on the vault and 23rd on the balance beam.
Junior Terin Humphrey, No. 3 nationally on the uneven bars, is also ranked in the all-around, coming in at No. 17. Junior Erin Rightley is ranked No. 17 and freshman Ricki Lebegern is No. 18 on the floor exercise.
As a team, Alabama climbed back to No. 4 on the strength of the nation's best score, a 197.475 against Auburn, after spending last week at No. 5. Florida remains the nation's top ranked team after tying No. 2 Georgia in Athens last weekend. Utah remains in third while Stanford slips back a place to No. 5.
The Crimson Tide is ranked in the top-10 on all four apparatus. With four athletes ranked in the top-20, including the top-2 spots, the Tide is No. 1 on the floor exercise for the third week in a row. On the vault Alabama checks in at No. 3 while holding down eighth on the uneven bars and ninth on the balance beam.
Alabama continues its home stand Friday, Feb. 2 when the Kentucky Wildcats come to town. Tickets are available through the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262) or online at www.rolltide.com.
