Now ranked eighth in the nation, the Alabama gymnastics team is averaging 196.169 through four meets. It holds a season-high 196.9 and most recently lost to LSU with a 196.85. The Crimson Tide was ninth last week.
Oklahoma remains on top of the rankings with a 197.713. Florida is second with a 197.492. UCLA is third with a 197.488. Utah (197.238) and LSU (196.981) are fourth and fifth, respectively.
The Crimson Tide is in the top 10 on three of the four events. It’s No. 4 on vault (49.175), No. 7 on floor exercise (49.163) and No. 9 on uneven bars (49.125). UA is then No. 27 on balance beam (48.706).
Individually, UA freshman Shallon Olsen is ranked eighth on vault, averaging a 9.887. She has a season-high 9.9. The next closest gymnast is Alabama junior Wynter Childers, checking in at 13th in the all-around competition. Her average and season high are the same – a 39.35 – because Childers only competed all four events in one meet so far this season. She filled in last week for sophomore Lexi Graber, who injured her right big toe during warmups and was ruled out.
There hasn’t been an update on Graber, but UA coach Dana Duckworth will address the media Wednesday.
Up next, Alabama will travel to No. 16 Missouri, which has a 195.769 average and a 196.45 high. The Tigers are ranked 10th on floor (49.106), 14th on vault (48.981), 15th on beam (48.844) and 22nd on bars (48.838). Friday’s competition will air on SEC Network at 7:30 p.m.
Alabama will then have another road meet before returning home on Feb. 15 to take on Florida in Coleman Coliseum. That will be the Crimson Tide’s annual Power of Pink meet.
