Alabama
Auburn
Alabama Gymnastics Wins Fourth-Annual Elevate the Stage over Auburn, 197.300-196.900
3/9/2018 9:06:00 PM | Gymnastics
The Crimson Tide tied its season-best road score and its second-best score of the season
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The No. 6 Alabama gymnastics team used a solid performance on all four events to come away with a 197.300-196.900 win over No. 16 Auburn in the fourth-annual Elevate the Stage meet Friday night in Huntsville, Ala.
The Crimson Tide's total tied its best road score of the season and its second-highest score overall.
"I want to thank the people of Huntsville for welcoming college gymnastic to their city," UA head coach Dana Duckworth said. "We appreciate the enthusiasm and excitement they brought to the meet. That kind of atmosphere helped push our ladies to be their best."
Alabama came out strong on the uneven bars with a 49.500, led by 9.925s from freshman Lexi Graber and senior Kiana Winston as well as a 9.900 from sophomore Shea Mahoney.
On the vault, led by matching 9.875s from junior Abby Armbrecht and senior Nickie Guerrero, Alabama tallied a 49.275. Early in the vault rotation, Mahoney hit the vault table wrong and had a hard fall, which ended her night. She will be evaluated by the medical staff upon her return to Tuscaloosa.
"I am very proud of the way our ladies didn't get rattled and rallied together after the very scary vault by Shea Mahoney, ," Duckworth said. "Alonza (Klopfer) stepped in on the next event (floor exercise) to have Shea's back."
On the floor exercise the Tide posted a 49.275 led by Guerrero's 9.925 and a 9.9 from Armbrecht.
"That was a great floor routine by Nickie," Duckworth said. "I think it's one of the best she's done."
After a fall in the leadoff spot on the balance beam, Alabama finished the meet strong, closing out the Tigers with a 49.300 on the balance beam, paced by 9.900s from Graber and Winston.
"I'm really proud of how Abby Armbrecht stayed steady on beam after our first competitor fell," Duckworth said. "That beam team and their fight allowed us to finish strong, which what we needed to do for the win."
Guerrero and Armbrecht tied for first on the vault, while Graber and Winston tied for top honors on the balance beam. Winston also won the all-around with a 39.450.
Following the meet, Elevate the Stage presented checks of $3,500 to the Ronald McDonald House of Alabama and Smile-A-Mile, the philanthropies the two schools represented at tonight's event.
Alabama closes out its regular season on Friday, March 16 in Coleman Coliseum against No. 1 Oklahoma. Tickets for Tide's home meets are available 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.
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