No. 3 Gymnastics Set for Second Consecutive Top-Five Matchup

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The No. 3 Alabama gymnastics team will host the No. 4 Arkansas Razorbacks Friday night in Coleman Coliseum. The second-consecutive top-five showdown for the Crimson Tide will begin at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be aired live on SEC Network.

Friday night's meet will be the third contest for Alabama as the Crimson Tide is coming off a strong Southeastern Conference-opening performance against the then-No. 3 Missouri Tigers. Alabama posted three season-high team rotation scores en route to its 197.225-196.475 victory over Missouri

Promotion – Capes and Crowns

Balloon animal makers and face painters will be set up around the concourse from 5-6 p.m.
Appearances from commonly known princesses and superheroes will be present for photo ops
Giveaway items: Alabama cape and Alabama crown

Head Coach Ashley Johnston Said

"Every competition is an opportunity to improve and grow, and being in the SEC, every team is capable of greatness. Arkansas is a really talented team and is coming off a good first showing at home. While we recognize and respect that, we're going to keep our focus on what we can do, what we can control, how we can get better and keep pushing to be the best versions of ourselves we can be. It's going to be important that our fans bring their energy and momentum."

Friday's Meet

Alabama is led by head coach Ashley Johnston, in her second season at UA, while Jordyn Wieber is in her fifth year at the helm of the Razorbacks
The two teams last competed against each other in Coleman Coliseum on March 4, 2022, with UA taking home a 198.075 – 196.00 win
Both programs are coming off SEC-opening victories with Alabama rolling past Missouri via a season-high 197.225 team score and Arkansas taking home a victory of their own over Georgia by a score of 197.150 –196.350

Last Time Out

The Crimson Tide's 197.225 is the highest score for a home opener in program history
Leading by only 0.10 heading into the final rotation, Alabama posted a season-high 49.450 event total on the floor exercise to secure the victory over the then-No. 3 Missouri Tigers
Along with the Crimson Tide's season-high rotation score on floor, Alabama also posted a season-high score on bars – 49.550, as the lowest-counted scorer for UA finished higher than Missouri's full lineup in the same event
Luisa Blanco was named the SEC Co-Gymnast of the Week (Jan. 16) after recording three event titles against the Tigers (all-around, uneven bars, floor exercise) and posting the highest all-around score of any SEC gymnast in week-two action (39.675)

The Tide in the Rankings

Alabama leads the country on the uneven bars, holding a share of the No. 1 ranking (49.538) with Oklahoma and Oregon State, while simultaneously posting top-six rankings on all four events within the SEC (No. 1 – UB; No. 4 – BB; No. 5 – FX; No. 6 – VT)
Individually, Blanco sits at No. 2 nationally on the uneven bars, while also holding top-six rankings in the all-around (No. 3), vault (No. 5) and balance beam (No. 6)
Gabby Gladieux ranks No. 5, nationally, on the floor exercise (9.938) after posting two consecutive 9.9 scores-or-higher to start her sophomore campaign

Up Next

Alabama will travel to Gainesville, Fla., Friday, Jan. 26, for a matchup with the Florida Gators at 6 p.m. CT
The meet will be broadcast live on ESPN2

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