Alabama Gymnastics Travels to Arkansas to Open Conference Slate

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The No. 8 Alabama gymnastics team will open its Southeastern Conference schedule against the No. 16 Arkansas Razorbacks Friday night at 7:30 CT in Barnhill Arena. The contest will be the Crimson Tide's first road meet of the season.

Alabama and Arkansas both won their season openers during week one of the 2023 season. The Crimson Tide posted the second-highest score for a season opener in program history, scoring a 196.975 to defeat the Michigan State Spartans. Alabama senior Luisa Blanco won the all-around with a 39.575, combining with fellow senior Makarri Doggette to win a share of every event title in the matchup.

The meet will be broadcast live on SEC Network.

Head Coach Ashley Johnston said

"This week is about being aggressive and not holding back. I feel like we did a good job week one of committing to our approach and all the little things that help us be successful. Now it's important that we don't compete cautiously, but we go big with confidence in those opportunities."

Friday's Meet

Both Alabama and Arkansas are 1-0 on the season, with UA defeating Michigan State week one 196.975-196.550, and Arkansas taking home a 196.225-195.000 win over Nebraska
The Crimson Tide and the Razorbacks competed against each other twice during the 2022 regular season. Alabama hosted Arkansas on March 4, 2022, with UA earning a 198.075-196.000 win
The two teams also faced off at Elevate the State on March 6, 2022, where The Tide won with a 198.000 and the Razorbacks finished third at 196.800.
Alabama and Arkansas last competed against each other in Barnhill Arena on Feb. 26, 2021, with UA taking home a 197.325-197.000 win

Last Time Out

Alabama opened the 2023 season with a win over then-No. 12 Michigan State, 196.975-196.550 on Jan. 6
UA's score of 196.975 was its second highest score for a season opener in program history and highest since 2014 (197.150 vs. Missouri on Jan. 10, 2014)
The Crimson Tide won all four events, totaling rotation scores of 49.325 on vault, 49.275 on the uneven bars, 49.125 on balance beam and 49.250 on floor exercise
Seniors Luisa Blanco and Makarri Doggette combined to sweep the event titles, with Blanco winning the all-around (39.575), balance beam (9.900) and floor exercise (9.925) and Doggette taking home event titles on the vault (9.900) and uneven bars (9.900)
The Tide totaled five scores of 9.900 or higher on the night, with Doggette on vault (9.900) and bars (9.900), Luisa Blanco on balance beam (9.900), and Gabby Gladieux (9.900) and Blanco on floor exercise (9.925)
Doggette competed in the all-around for the first time since Feb. 7, 2020, and for just the second time in her career, totaling a 39.375 to finish runner-up to Blanco
Three Alabama gymnasts competed in the all-around in the season opener: Lilly Hudson, Blanco and Doggette, combining for 12 of the Tide's 24 routines
Freshman Gabby Gladieux made her debut on three events, earning a 9.900 on floor, a 9.825 on balance beam and a 9.825 from the anchor position on the vault

Up Next

After Friday's meet against the Razorbacks, Alabama returns home to Coleman Coliseum., to take on the Florida Gators on Friday, Jan. 20 at 6:30 p.m. CT.
The meet features the two most recent SEC Champions and will be broadcast live on ESPNU

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– UA –