Alabama
Arkansas
No. 8 Alabama Gymnastics Defeats Arkansas in First SEC Meet of Season
1/13/2023 9:49:00 PM | Gymnastics
The Crimson Tide improves to 2-0 to begin the 2023 season
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 8 Alabama gymnastics team defeated the No. 16 Arkansas Razorbacks 196.525-195.525 Friday night in Barnhill Arena. The meet was the Crimson Tide's first Southeastern Conference match-up and its first away contest of the season.
Alabama (2-0) got off to an early lead in its opening rotation and led the entirety of the meet. The Crimson Tide scored a 49.300 on the uneven bars in rotation one, while the Razorbacks posted a 49.150 on the vault. The Tide extended its lead to over a point with a 49.00 on the vault after the second rotation of the night.
Luisa Blanco won a share of the uneven bars title with a 9.900, giving her an event title on three out of the four events through two meets on the season. Ella Burgess and Lillian Lewis both made their first appearances of the season on balance beam.
Head Coach Ashley Johnston Said
"I was proud of the team for the resilience they showed tonight. We had a few uncharacteristic mistakes, and they did a great job of not letting that affect their approach. They just kept working and kept chipping away and making the most out of every moment. I feel like meets like this build a lot of resilience and will pay off in the long run for us."
Inside The Scoresheet
- The Crimson Tide led the contest wire-to-wire, opening up a lead after the uneven bars and maintaining it throughout
- Freshman Lillian Lewis made her collegiate debut on balance beam, scoring a 9.775
- Alabama began the meet on the uneven bars with all five counting scores a 9.825-or-higher, led by a 9.900 from Luisa Blanco
- Blanco and Jordyn Paradise posted matching totals of 9.825 to lead the Tide's vault lineup to a 49.000, followed by another 49.000 total on floor exercise
- Alabama closed out the win with a 49.225 on balance beam, led by a pair of 9.875s from Gabby Gladieux and Lilly Hudson
- Ella Burgess entered the Tide's lineup for the first time this season, leading off on balance beam with a 9.850
Up Next
- 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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Players Mentioned
