Alabama
Oklahoma
No. 9 Alabama Gymnastics Posts Best Home Opening Score in Program History in Loss to No. 1 Oklahoma, 198.250-197.400
1/17/2020 11:28:00 PM | Gymnastics
The Crimson Tide’s total is the third highest in the nation this season, with Oklahoma holding the other two
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. –  The No. 9 Alabama gymnastics squad put together a total team effort to post its highest score in a home opener in program history Friday night in Coleman Coliseum, tallying a 197.400 in front of 10,835 fans. No. 1 ranked and defending NCAA champion Oklahoma came out on top with a 198.250, the nation's top score of the young season.
The Tide's total made it the second highest scoring team in the nation behind the Sooners. It was also the third highest score in the nation after OU's 197.675 at Arizona State and tonight's score.
In addition to being the Crimson Tide's highest tally to open a home slate, it marked just the fourth time the Tide had scored a 197 in a home opener. Alabama's previous best to start off in Coleman Coliseum was a 197.200 on Jan. 31, 2003, following a three-week road swing to open the season.
The 197.400 was also the Crimson Tide's highest team score since posting a 197.525 against North Carolina on March 2, 2018.
Head Coach Dana Duckworth Says
"We are a dynamic team. I think we have four events we can put together. At the end of the day, I am so impressed with how this team continues to just go all in. I want them to use this, and know, and believe, that there's more in them. If we are consistent over time, we'll let that all play out."
Four Rotations
- Alabama got things started with a 49.250 on the vault, nearly two-tenths of a point better than last week's season-opening vault score, led by a 9.900 from junior Lexi Graber
- The freshman duo of Ella Burgess and Luisa Blanco both scored 9.85s on the vault in their second meet for the Tide
- A strong uneven bars rotation finished off with a huge 9.950 routine from freshman Makarri Doggette to give Alabama a 49.425 team total
- Sophomore Jensie Givens tied her career-best mark on the uneven bars with a 9.875, a score that junior Kylie Dickson and senior Shea Mahoney matched
- A week after counting a fall on the balance beam, Alabama bounced back with a 49.400, paced by freshman Luisa Blanco's 9.925 and a 9.900 from Doggette
- The Crimson Tide closed the meet by tallying a 49.325 on the floor exercise, led by a 9.925 from Doggette and a 9.9 from senior Maddie Desch
Inside the Score Sheet
- Last season, it took Alabama 11 meets to score a 49.400-or-better on the balance beam, while that mark came in just its second meet in 2020
- Alabama's 49.425 was its best uneven bars score since going 49.450 at Elevate the Stage against Auburn on March 9, 2018
- Desch opened her senior season with back-to-back 9.9s on the floor exercise after scoring just three 9.9s on floor all of last season
- A total of 13 gymnasts contributed scores to the Crimson Tide's team total, including three freshmen with seven routines, all of which scored 9.850 or better
Up Next
- Alabama and OU will see each other again next week, traveling 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
