Alabama Gymnastics Takes 2nd at SEC Championships & Prepares to Host Regionals

After sitting in fourth place after two rotations, the No. 3 Alabama gymnastics team scored a season-best 197.800 to take second place at the Southeastern Conference Championships held at Verizon Arena in Little Rock, Ark., Saturday night, just behind the No. 1 ranked Florida Gators.

Ashley Sledge celebrates after completing Uneven Bars earlier this season via www.odt.co.nz

The Tide finished the meet with a score of 197.9, but took a one tenth deduction after Patterson discovered two UA gymnasts had gone out of order during the uneven bars rotation while reviewing the score sheet prior to signing off on it. She brought the matter to the attention of the meet referee who stated that it was up to the judges to take that deduction and they had not. Patterson however asked that the deduction be taken in the interest of fairness.

Yep, that's right... in a sport that literally comes down to hundredths of a point our coach just gave away a tenth. Their original score of 197.9 was their highest score of the season & the 2nd highest road score in the nation this season behind Florida's winning 198.0.

I know the girls have to be disappointed but from what I could tell on Saturday night they looked amazing and should be very proud of themselves. They finished second in the SEC ahead of all those other schools they have already competed against this year and some have even beaten them (Looking at you UGA). If I had been in Arkansas on Saturday I'd have been MORE proud of the fact that they managed to beat UGA by almost a half a point than disappointed by their loss to Florida by a tenth (or two tenths if you count the one that Coach Patterson gave back due to poor lining up skills).

During practice on Friday before the SEC Championships Ashley Sledge tweaked her back, and it was obvious during warm-ups on Saturday, that she could not go. Kaitlyn (Clark) stepped in to lead us off and did such a great job.

Alabama led off with a 49.400 on the uneven bars, led by senior Ashley Priess' 9.925. Junior Sarah DeMeo added a 9.9 while Beers and senior Becca Alexin both scored 9.875s. It was a new career-high for Beers while Priess, DeMeo

and Alexin all tied their career-best marks.

The Tide also posted a 49.4 on the balance beam, led by 9.925s from Williams and Jacob. It was a career-best score for Williams. Priess finished off the Tide's rotation with a 9.875 while sophomore Kaitlyn Clark scored added a 9.85.

via www.crimsonconfidential.com