Alabama
Kentucky
Gymnastics Beats Kentucky, 195.825-194.075
1/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Jan. 16, 2009
Complete Results | Photo Gallery 
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The No. 6 ranked Alabama Gymnastics team opened its home slate Friday night by beating the Kentucky Wildcats 195.825-194.075 in front of 10,021 fans.
Alabama goes to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in Southeastern Conference competition, while the Wildcats fall to 1-1. For the second meet in a row the Crimson Tide got a significant contribution from its freshman class with eight routines coming from the rookies, including half of its balance beam lineup.
"Geralen (Stack-Eaton) and Ashley (Priess), on three events each, they did a great job," Alabama head coach Sarah Patterson said. "Then Caitlin Sullivan stepped up in second spot on balance beam and was a rock. She just keeps getting better and better. Caitlin has some more events to do and will hopefully get out there on floor exercise soon, but we are really trying to move in a progression that is safe for her and puts her in a position to be successful. I am really proud of her."
After scoring a 39.225 in the all-around at Auburn to open the season last week, junior Ricki Lebegern came back this week to win the all-around with a 39.275 against Kentucky.
"For the second meet in a row Ricki Lebegern was a rock for us," Patterson said. "That's a tough thing, that's eight routines. She's had the best competition for two weeks in a row now and that's awesome. That's what we needed from everybody."
Junior Morgan Dennis won the vault and floor exercise with matching 9.9s. Priess won the uneven bars with a 9.925 and shared top honors on the balance beam with Stack-Eaton and Kentucky's Heather Hite at 9.875.
Alabama opened the meet with a 49.1 on the vault led by Dennis' 9.9. Lebegern scored a 9.85 while Magee posted a 9.8. Stack-Eaton scored a 9.775 to get the Tide started on the vault followed by a matching score from freshman Rachel Terry who made her debut in the Tide's competition lineup against the Wildcats. Kentucky scored a 48.900 on the vault.
The Tide scored a 48.575 on the uneven bars, having to count a fall in its total. Priess paced Alabama with a meet-best score of 9.925. Lebegern started the rotation off with a 9.825 while Stack-Eaton and junior Kassi Price both scored 9.8s. Kentucky scored a 48.725 on the uneven bars.
Alabama opened its season last Friday at Auburn with what Patterson termed a "superb performance" on the balance beam, scoring a 49.225. The Tide stayed in that "superb" zone this week, again scoring a 49.225 behind matching 9.875s from Priess and Stack-Eaton. Dennis and Sullivan scored 9.85s while Magee got the rotation started with a 9.775. Kentucky scored a 47.900 on the balance beam.
"I'm real proud is our balance beam routine," Patterson said. "Those were six great routines in a pressure situation."
Alabama finished off the meet with a 48.925 on the floor exercise led by Dennis' 9.9 in the anchor spot. Lebegern was second in the event with a 9.875 followed by Price, who scored a 9.85 in her first floor exercise routine of the season. Kentucky scored a 48.550 on the floor exercise
Alabama returns to the road for its next two meets, facing Georgia next Friday (Jan. 23) in Athens, Ga. before traveling to Arkansas to face the Razorbacks on Friday, Jan. 30 in Fayetteville, Ark.
Players Mentioned
