Ghosts Win Alabama Gymnastics’ Annual Halloween Themed Intrasquad
10/21/2018 5:22:00 PM | Gymnastics
The Ghosts overcame the Goblins in the annual competition in the Frances Smith Practice Facility Sunday afternoon
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Ghost squad scared up their third-consecutive win in the annual Alabama gymnastics Ghosts and Goblins Intrasquad Sunday afternoon in front of a packed house in the Frances Smith Practice Facility. It was the Ghosts' fourth win in seven years and fifth in the past 15.
"There were a lot of great things tonight," UA head coach Dana Duckworth said. "We had several people do four events and that's a big step for us. I can't say enough about our seniors. Ari (Guerra) is amazing on her three events right now, Abby (Armbrecht) has a new skill on three of four events heading into the season and Angelina (Giancroce) has been an incredible leader and continues to get better and better."
The competition was decided, as many gymnastics meets are, on the balance beam, where the Ghosts surged ahead to secure the win.
"I think it's wonderful that the Ghosts came up big on the balance beam for the win," Duckworth said. "That's what it's going to take during the season. The balance beam is a make-or-break event."
Junior Shea Mahoney led the Goblins while senior Abby Armbrecht and sophomore Lexi Graber led the Ghosts.
"There is so much potential for this team," Duckworth said. "Obviously we're not where we want to be when the season gets underway, we have a lot of things to work on, but I see such an improvement between where we are right now and where were at this point a year ago."
The Ghosts, which earned the win by a score of 57-53, consisted of Armbrecht, juniors Wynter Childers and Maddie Desch, sophomores Graber, Tia Kiaku and Alonza Klopfer along with freshmen Asia DeWalt and Jensie Givens.
The Goblin mob consisted of seniors Angelina Giancroce and Ariana Guerra, junior Shea Mahoney, sophomores Kylie Dickson and Bailie Key as well as freshmen Emily Gaskins and Griffin James.
"We have a young group this year and it's amazing to see the amount of talent in that group today, and we're even missing one today," Duckworth said.
Freshman Shallon Olsen is in Doha, Qatar with the Canadian World Championships team and missed the Crimson Tide's intrasquad. The 2016 Olympian and two-time member of the Canadian Worlds team is set to compete Oct. 25 – Nov. 3 before returning to Tuscaloosa to finish out her first semester with the Crimson Tide.
This year both teams had special guests from WVUA23 as part of their squads. The Goblins included weekend anchor Jabaree Prewitt, while Meteorologist Danielle Davis was part of the Ghosts' contingent. There was also a number of gymnastics alumni - both student-athletes and staff – in the crowd.
"There's nothing better than when your alumni come back," Duckworth said. "No matter if it's for Alumni Weekend or Ghosts and Goblins or just for a visit. We had a room full of alumni who love us, who support us and who were a part of building everything this program is."
The annual intrasquad was followed by the Bama Gymnastics Kickoff event in the men's basketball practice gym. The event was the first of its kind and gave the community the chance to meet this year's team, which includes five freshmen among its 16 gymnasts.
Season tickets for the Crimson Tide's 2018 season are on sale now through the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262) located in the lobby of Coleman Coliseum, and online at RollTide.com.
For all the latest information on Alabama gymnastics, follow BamaGymnastics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and head coach Dana Duckworth on Twitter and Instagram at @UACoachDana.
Players Mentioned
