No. 3 Gymnastics Faces Off Against No. 7 Arkansas Friday
1/21/2010 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Jan. 21, 2010
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The season doesn't get any easier for the No. 3 ranked Alabama Gymnastics team this week as it faces No. 7 Arkansas Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Coleman Coliseum.
The Crimson Tide opened the season at in-state rival Auburn, trying to continue a winning streak that stretches back three decades now, and after beating the Tigers on the road, Alabama came home to face five-time defending NCAA Champion Georgia, beating the Bulldogs to go to 30-1-1 in home openers.
With two wins under its belt, Alabama now faces Arkansas, the new team on the block in just its eighth year as an NCAA Division I program. Some would think this would be an easy meet for the Crimson Tide, given the Razorbacks relative youth. After all, Alabama's consecutive NCAA appearance streak is 20 years longer than Arkansas' years as a program.
Alabama head coach Sarah Patterson, however, knows differently. She knows how quickly the Razorbacks have gone from an infant program to a contender. She knows that Arkansas has been to the NCAA Championships three times in the last four years and that they made their first NCAA Championships Super Six appearance last spring, finishing fifth in the nation.
"Arkansas was a top-five team in the country last year," Patterson said. "They have a great program and we can't afford to have an off night."
Last season, Alabama traveled to Fayetteville for its fourth meet of the year and Arkansas came away with a one-tenth victory.
"Last year we went to Arkansas and we lost," Patterson said. "We had a pretty good meet but we weren't perfect and we lost. When you are in the SEC and you look at our schedule, I think you realize that it's a really tough schedule to go undefeated in. Do I think it makes us better in the end though? Yes, I do. It makes your team focus on what they have to do, and you can't let your guard down."
The meet will be the second of Alabama's Five Fun Family Fridays sponsored by Tuscaloosa Toyota. The dealership will be giving away a 42" television at every home meet this season. One lucky winner will drive home with a 2010 Toyota Corolla at the end of the season and another fan will win a trip for four to the SEC and NCAA Gymnastics Championships. UA students can also win one of eight $50 gift certificates at every meet. Other giveaways and prizes include a Nintendo Wii, two family board game packages, dinner for four at several local restaurants as well as movie passes and T-shirts.
Tickets are available through the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262), located in the lobby of Coleman Coliseum, or online at RollTide.com.
