Katie Bailey did it again.
The University of Alabama senior was crowned a national champion last Friday, taking the uneven bars title with a 9.95 score at the NCAA Championships in St. Louis. Second place went to those who scored a 9.925. Third went to the 9.9 marks, which included UA senior Keely McNeer and junior Kiana Winston, who also finished third in the all-around (39.6) and floor exercise (9.9375).
Last season, Bailey also won vault with a 9.95. She’ll graduate as Crimson Tide’s 26th and 27th individual champion.
One of a kind
In each of the last 10 years, Alabama has finished in the top six at the NCAA Championships. No other team has accomplished such a feat.
UA took first in 2011 and 2012, second in 2009, third in 2010, 2013 and 2016, and then fourth in 2014 and 2015. Like this year, it was sixth in 2008. The Crimson Tide has only placed fifth once (2000). It has been outside the top six just twice, ending up ninth in 2007 and 1997.
Overall, Alabama has posted an NCAA-best 33 top-six finishes.
Others’ perfection
It doesn’t happen often, so when it does, it’s worth appreciating.
Over the weekend, three gymnasts achieved perfection. Oklahoma’s Maggie Nichols and UCLA’s Peng-Peng Lee were both rewarded a perfect 10 on the balance beam, marking the first perfect scores on the event ever during Super Six competition. Then, Florida’s Alex McMurtry, who won the all-around title with a 39.8125, earned one on bars.
The last time the Super Six saw three 10s was in 2005. The NCAA Championships overall haven’t had three since 2009.
