Alabama
Oklahoma
No. 9 Alabama Gymnastics Opens Home Schedule Against No. 1 Oklahoma Friday
1/16/2020 5:03:00 PM | Gymnastics
It marks the Crimson Tide’s second meet of the year, first home meet and first top-10 match-up of the season
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – After opening 2020 on the road, the No. 9-ranked Alabama gymnastics team returns home to take on No. 1 ranked Oklahoma Friday night in Coleman Coliseum at 7:45 p.m. The meet will air live on ESPN2, with Olympians Bart Conner and Kathy Johnson Clarke calling the action.
It will be the Crimson Tide's second meet of the season and the third for the Sooners, and while it will be Alabama's home opener, it will be the third of four consecutive road contests for Oklahoma.
The two teams come into the 2020 season with 10 NCAA championships between them, with the Crimson Tide sporting six, with back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012, and the Sooners winning four, including last year's crown.
Head Coach Dana Duckworth Says
"This is going to be an incredible competition, one that's going to be a battle from the very beginning to the very end. It's going to be an electric environment, because there is nothing better than competing at home in Coleman Coliseum."
Friday's Meet
- Alabama opens its 2020 home slate against No. 1 Oklahoma Friday, Jan. 17 at 7:45 p.m. CT in Coleman Coliseum
- Season and individual meet tickets are on sale through the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262), located in the lobby of Coleman Coliseum, and online at RollTide.com
- Friday marks the 10th time in the past 12 years that Alabama and Oklahoma have met during the regular season and the fifth time in Tuscaloosa
- The two schools have also met in Norman four times and once in Oklahoma City
- Alabama last faced Oklahoma on March 15, 2019 in Norman, Okla., falling to the eventual national champions 198.175-197.250
- The Sooners last visited Tuscaloosa on March 16, 2018, coming out on top 197.925-197.150
- In addition to being the Crimson Tide's 2020 home opener, Friday will be also be Capes and Crowns Night in Coleman Coliseum, with fans encouraged to grab their tiaras, crowns and superhero costumes for the meet
- Doors open at 6 p.m. and there will be cape and crown giveaways while supplies last
- Fans will also be able to take pictures with their favorite superheroes and princesses on the concourse prior to the meet
Last Time Out
- Alabama started the 2020 season with a road loss at then No. 16 Auburn, 196.625-196.025
- Despite counting a fall on balance beam in its final tally, the Crimson Tide's opening score of 2020 was 1.275 better than a year ago
- The Tide posted a 49.300 on the floor exercise at Auburn, .425 better than its opening total on the event at home in 2019
- Sophomore Griffin James and freshmen Luisa Blanco, Ella Burgess, and Makarri Doggette all made their debuts in the Crimson Tide's competitive lineup at Auburn, with all four posting at least one score of 9.825 or better
- The Tide had three scores of 9.9 - senior Maddie Desch and junior Lexi Graber on the floor exercise, and freshman Luisa Blanco on the balance beam
- Freshman Makarri Doggette anchored both the Tide's floor and uneven bar lineups in her Alabama debut, posting the Tide's top score on the uneven bars with a 9.875
The 2020 Alabama Crimson Tide
- There are 16 gymnasts on the 2020 roster – three seniors, three juniors, five sophomores and five freshmen
- Alabama returns 18 of its 24 routines from its 2019 NCAA Regional Championships final
- There is one individual SEC champion on this year's team – junior Lexi Graber – and one NCAA Regional champion, also Graber
- The Crimson Tide also returns five gymnasts who have earned All-SEC honors during their careers - Graber, seniors Wynter Childers, Maddie Desch and Shea Mahoney as well as sophomore Shallon Olsen
The Coaches
- Dana Duckworth is in the midst of her sixth season as Alabama's head coach and 25th year with the program overall, a total that also includes four years as a gymnast, nine as a volunteer coach, six as an assistant coach
- Oklahoma is led by Iowa State grad K.J. Kindler, who is in her 14th season leading Oklahoma and 19th year as a collegiate head coach
- Both Duckworth and Kindler have served as head coach of their respective alma maters
- Duckworth was a two-time NCAA Champion, eight-time All-American and part of the Tide's 1991 national championship team, while Kindler was a three-time MVP for the Cyclones and runner-up in the all-around at the 1992 Big Eight Championships
Up Next
- After Friday's meet, both Alabama and OU will travel to Ft. Worth, Texas to take part in the 2020 Metroplex Challenge, where they will be joined by Denver and Georgia
- The meet is on Saturday, Jan. 25 and gets underway at 6:45 p.m. CT
- The Crimson Tide last took part in the Metroplex Challenge in 2011, winning the meet over Nebraska, LSU and Missouri
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
