For the first time since the 2019 season started, the Alabama gymnastics team did not make any moves in the latest rankings. The Crimson Tide remains at No. 8, just like last week. It did, however, increase its average from a 196.169 to a 196.305 after defeating then-No. 16 and now-No. 13 Missouri last Friday with a 196.85.
Oklahoma is still on top of the ranks with a 197.835 average, followed by Florida (197.625) and UCLA (197.57) in order. Utah (197.205) is fourth and LSU is fifth (197.015).
There are now nine teams in the nation that have scored a 197 or higher – Oklahoma, Florida, UCLA, Georgia, LSU, Denver, Oregon State, Utah and Nebraska. Meanwhile, Alabama still holds a season-high 196.9.
Just for fun: If all of the Crimson Tide’s best event scores were totaled – a 49.375 on floor exercise, a 49.275 on vault and 49.25s on both uneven bars and balance beam – the team would have an overall score of 197.15. The Sooner’s 198.325, which actually happened, is the highest score nationally right now.
Anyway, Alabama is ranked in the top 10 on three events. It is fifth on vault (49.165), seventh on floor (49.205) and ninth on bars (49.15). Beam continues to slowly but surely improve and is now 24th (48.785).
No one from the Crimson Tide is currently ranked within the top 10 individually.
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Injury update
After not competing against LSU two weeks ago, Alabama sophomore Lexi Graber went all-around at Missouri. She scored a career-best 9.925 on floor, a 9.875 on vault, a season-high 9.8 on bars and a 9.75 beam. Her 39.35 overall placed her first in the all-around competition.
Graber was originally sidelined against LSU due to a big toe injury she sustained during warmups. She was able to practice all four events the week leading up to Missouri, though.
There hasn’t been any update on UA senior Abby Armbrecht, who, according to the SEC Network’s broadcast of last Friday’s meet, did not make the trip to Missouri due to a stomach bug.
Alabama will face No. 22 Arkansas (195.44 average, 196.125 high) on the road this Friday at 7 p.m.
