Alabama Gymnastics Finishes Fifth in NCAA Championships Semifinal I
4/20/2018 4:06:00 PM | Gymnastics
The Crimson Tide scored a 196.625, including a high of 49.250 on the floor exercise
ST. LOUIS – The Alabama gymnastics team finished fifth in the first semifinal of the 2018 NCAA Gymnastics Championships in Chaifetz Arena Friday afternoon after scoring a 196.6250.
"We were good, we needed to be great," UA head coach Dana Duckworth said. "We knew the competition in this session was going to be intense and everyone wanted to advance to tomorrow night."
The Crimson Tide, at its 36th-consecutive NCAA championship, missed the Super Six Team Finals for just the third time in the 27-year history of the format. UCLA (197.5625), LSU (197.4750) and Nebraska (197.0125) advanced to tomorrow's Super Six.
"It hurts to not advance," Duckworth said. "Right now though, we have to decide what we're going to learn from this as coaches and as gymnasts - especially those coming back – and how we move forward."
Georgia (196.6875) and Arkansas (196.4250) joined Alabama among the three not advancing.
"This team and these women are not defined by the outcome of this meet," Duckworth said. "They love this amazing university and having the chance to represent Alabama. Unfortunately heartbreak like this is sometimes part of their journey, but we'll use it to make us better."
The Crimson Tide started with a 49.1625 on the uneven bars, fueled by 9.85s from freshman Lexi Graber and sophomore Shea Mahoney. On the balance beam, Alabama totaled a 49.075, paced by senior Kiana Winston's 9.8500.
On the floor exercise, the Tide posted a 49.2500 led by junior Abby Armbrecht's 9.8625 in the leadoff spot. The Tide finished the day with a 49.1375 on the vault, pushed by 9.8375s from Mahoney and senior Nickie Guerrero.
The Tide started the postseason with a second place finish at the Southeastern Conference Championships and on its NCAA-best 32nd regional title two weeks ago.
The rest of the Super Six field will come from the second semifinal session that gets underway at 6 p.m. CT and includes Oklahoma, Florida, Utah, Kentucky, Washington and California.
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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