Alabama
NCAA Regional
Alabama Gymnastics Earns Bid to NCAA Ann Arbor Regional Championships
3/25/2019 5:11:00 PM | Gymnastics
The Crimson Tide will be joined in Ann Arbor by defending NCAA Champion UCLA, as well as Michigan, Nebraska, Penn State, Ohio State, West Virginia, Illinois and Central Michigan
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The No. 10 ranked Alabama gymnastics team is headed to Ann Arbor, Mich., for the regional round of the NCAA Championships it was announced via the NCAA selection show on Monday. The Crimson Tide will be one of the nine teams at the regional which will run April 4-6.
This year's postseason format is significantly different this season. The number of teams that advance to regionals, 36, remains the same, but goes from six regional sites featuring a single six-team session, with the top-two teams advancing to the NCAA Championships, to a four-regional, three-round affair that includes four sessions.
The first round includes the two lowest-seeded teams in a dual meet format competing for the final spot in the next day's semifinal round. On day two, there are two four-team sessions, with the top-two teams from each advancing to the regional finals. On the final day of regional competition, the top-two squads from the four-team final advance to the NCAA Championships Semifinals, which will be held in Fort Worth, Texas, this year.
Alabama will be in the 1Â p.m. CT session of the second round on April 5, taking on host Michigan, as well as Penn State and Ohio State. The 6Â p.m. CT session of the second round will be made up of defending NCAA Champion UCLA, Nebraska and West Virginia as well as the winner of round one, which will feature Illinois and Central Michigan.
The Tide will start round two on the balance beam and will proceed to the floor exercise and vault before finishing the night on the uneven bars. The third round will be held on April 6 and is slated to start at 6Â p.m.
The Crimson Tide is coming off its best performance of the season, posting a season-best 197.350 to take third at the Southeastern Conference Championships, marking the 21st year in a row that UA has finished in the top three at the league championships. Sophomore Lexi Graber led the way for the Tide, winning the balance beam with a 9.95 and taking second in the all-around with a 39.650. Both scores were career-best marks.
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
