Alabama sophomore Lexi Graber earned herself a Southeastern Conference individual title last Saturday at the 2019 SEC Championships in New Orleans. She scored a career-high 9.95 on balance beam, tying for the best mark with four other gymnasts at the Smoothie King Center.
But even that wasn’t Graber’s biggest accomplishment.
Although she didn’t take first place, Graber did finish second out of 17 competitors in the all-around competition. She scored a career-best 39.65 that featured the 9.95 on beam, a 9.925 on the floor exercise, a 9.875 on the uneven bars and a 9.9 on vault that also gave her third-place honors.
“She was on fire,” Alabama coach Dana Duckworth said. “There’s a reason we call her the firecracker. She thrived in this environment, and she’s so humble and so happy and works so hard. To see all that hard word pay off and see her become second place in the all-around from the afternoon session really speaks volumes to the work she has put in and the talent that she has.”
Another top-three recognition went to Alabama freshman Shallon Olsen. Her 9.925 on beam was the event’s second-best mark. UA senior Ariana Guerra also had a 9.925 on floor for third.
Overall, the Crimson Tide finished third as a team with a season-high 197.35. Alabama scored a 49.225 on vault, a 49.2 on bars, a season-best 49.45 on beam and a 49.475 on floor in order.
“It was just fun to be out there with my team,” Graber said. “It was super rewarding to see us get an even higher score than our season best.”
