Alabama
Arkansas
No. 3 Alabama Remains Undefeated with 197.525-197.525 Tie Against No. 4 Arkansas
1/19/2024 11:36:00 PM | Gymnastics
For the second consecutive meet, the Crimson Tide bettered its team score, while also posting season-high rotation scores on vault, uneven bars and balance beam
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The No. 3 Alabama gymnastics program remained undefeated as three season-high rotation scores helped propel the Crimson Tide (4-0-1, 1-0-1 SEC) to a 197.525-197.525 tie against the No. 4 Arkansas Razorbacks (1-0-1, 1-0-1 SEC). For the second consecutive meet, Alabama bettered its team score while facing a top-five opponent.
The Tide got off to an early lead in its opening rotation as two new faces entered UA's vault lineup. In her event debut, Chloe LaCoursiere posted a 9.850 as leadoff, while Lilly Hudson (9.900) and Luisa Blanco (9.925) each logged season-high performances to help lead Alabama to a season-high rotation score of 49.350 heading into the second rotation.
The Tide steamrolled its way through the uneven bars as LaCoursiere and Cam Machado earned a 9.9 score-or-higher for the third-straight meet. Natalia Pawlak (9.850), Mati Waligora (9.925), Shania Adams (9.925) and Makarri Doggette (9.950) also posted season-high scores of their own to lead Alabama to a 49.600 rotation score – only 0.75 away from tying the program record on the uneven bars.
The Razorbacks posted a third-rotation-leading score of 49.400 to bring Arkansas within 0.025 of the team lead heading into the final event of the meet. As the fourth rotation progressed, Arkansas moved into the lead as junior Lilly Hudson stepped up to perform the final routine of the meet. Without flinching, the Fleming Island, Fla., native posted a clutch, season-high 9.950 score on the floor exercise to even the team score at 197.525 and keep the Crimson Tide undefeated through three weeks of competition.
Head Coach Ashley Johnston Said
"What a night. There were a lot of highs and a few lows, but overall, the team rallied. They fought for every single tenth, and showed resilience and fight. Having some of these young ones step and deliver big performances, like Jamison (Sears) and Chloe – they have prepared really well on floor, and I'm proud of how they were able to handle the pressure. They competed like veterans. Having this experience tonight is going to help our team, and it's going to help our depth moving forward.
"I really appreciate the energy in Coleman tonight from our fans. It was really rocking around and the students were amazing. We love competing in front of our home crowd, and we as a program want to thank everybody for coming out tonight."
Inside the Score Sheet
- Alabama bettered its team score for the second straight meet, both against a top-four nationally ranked opponent
- UA posted three season-high rotation scores for the second-straight meet
- The Tide's 49.600 on the uneven bars was only 0.75 away from tying the program apparatus record of 49.675 at the 2021 NCAA Regional Final
- UA claimed event titles on vault (Luisa Blanco – 9.925), uneven bars (Makarri Doggette – 9.950), balance beam (Ella Burgess – 9.950) and floor exercise (Lilly Hudson – 9.950)
- Alabama swept the uneven bars podium, with Mati Waligora (second, 9.925) and Shania Adams (third, 9.925) joining Doggette
- Nine season-high scores were recorded by the Tide throughout the four rotations as LaCoursiere (9.850 – vault) and Burgess (9.950 – balance beam) recorded or tied their respective career-bests, respectively
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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Players Mentioned
