Alabama gymnastics opened its season Friday with a 197.025-195.225 win at home against the University of North Carolina Tar Heels.
The team won all individual event titles and earned its fifth-highest opening score at home in program history.
“I am so pleased with how tonight went. Going into it, our mindset was to start strong and handle the noise,” head coach Ashley Johnston said. “I thought our team handled that tremendously well.”
Rotation 1
For the first rotation, Alabama was on the vault and UNC was on the uneven bars. The first rotation ended with the Crimson Tide in the lead 49.075-48.75.
On the vault, Alabama junior Gabby Gladieux posted a team-high score of 9.925 and took the vault title.
Rotation 2
After Alabama and UNC each had three gymnasts compete, unforeseen circumstances that were not immediately clear suspended the meet for a few minutes.
Once the meet resumed, the teams were allowed a four-minute touch period to warm up the gymnasts again.
The Alabama gymnasts did not let the suspension stop the team’s momentum, as the second rotation ended with the Crimson Tide leading the Tar Heels 98.375-97.65. Alabama was on the uneven bars and posted a score of 49.3, while UNC was on the vault and posted a score of 48.9.
“We’re unfazed by the irrelevant little things that go on outside of our bubble,” senior Lilly Hudson said of the stoppage. “We’ve worked in the gym on being able to handle any situation. So when that came up, it wasn’t really a situation. It was normal for us.”
For the Crimson Tide, freshman Paityn Walker anchored the uneven bars and posted the highest score with a 9.9, landing the uneven bars title.
“She is such a performer. She’s such a competitor, but really it’s just a reflection of her work,” Johnston said. “She was her average out there today, and it turns out her average is pretty dang good.”
Rotation 3
For the third rotation, Alabama was on the balance beam and UNC was on the floor. Alabama scored a 49.225 and UNC posted a 48.325, and the third rotation finished with the Crimson Tide ahead 147.6-145.975.
On the balance beam, the highest-scoring routine was from Hudson, who posted a 9.9. She shared the beam title with UNC’s Gwen Fink.
Rotation 4
Heading into the final rotation, Coleman Coliseum was full of electric energy. Village People’s “YMCA” was playing throughout the area, and fans and gymnasts danced along to it.
Alabama was on the floor and UNC was on the balance beam for the final rotation. The Crimson Tide scored 49.425, and the Tar Heels scored 49.25.
On the floor, the winning score came from Gladieux. She took the all-around title with a score of 39.575.
Junior Rachel Rybicki competed on the floor for the first time in her career and posted a 9.9.
“It was such an amazing experience,” Rybicki said. “I was very grateful for where I was and very grateful for the hard work that got me there.”
The Crimson Tide will now travel to Lexington, Kentucky, to face the Kentucky Wildcats. The match will be streamed on SEC Network+ Friday at 6 p.m. CT.
