No. 14 Alabama gymnastics narrowly lost at home to the reigning national champion, No. 3 LSU, on Friday. The Crimson Tide kept the meet close through all four rotations, but LSU held a consistent lead and won 197.3-197.075.
“This was an extremely exciting night,” head coach Ashley Johnston said. “The arena was packed, it was loud, it was electric, and it certainly was a huge difference-maker in our team’s performance tonight.”
Rotation 1
As the home team, Alabama started the meet on the vault and posted a 49.175. LSU started on the uneven bars as the visiting team and scored 49.275.
Crimson Tide junior Karis German competed second on the vault, and she stuck the landing to score a 9.85. For her, this was a huge breakthrough moment.
“She’s been training that vault really well and hadn’t quite come to fruition in competition, so I think that really lit the team up,” Johnston said.
Senior Corinne Bunagan completed the highest-scoring routine for the Crimson Tide, posting a 9.925, although the event title went to LSU’s Kailin Chio, who earned a 9.975.
Rotation 2
Alabama competed on the uneven bars for the second rotation, and LSU competed on the vault. LSU ended the rotation in the lead 98.725-98.45. The Crimson Tide scored 49.275 on the uneven bars and the Tigers posted a 49.45 on the vault, which kept the meet close.
“We are fighting for everything that we’re doing in the gym to make it show up when we compete. You train how you compete,” junior Rachel Rybicki said. “I’m just really proud of how our team has been working and then how it showed tonight.”
Sophomore Chloe LaCoursiere and senior Lilly Hudson each posted a 9.9, tying for the highest score for Alabama on the uneven bars. The event title was shared by Hudson, LaCoursiere, and LSU’s Ashley Cowan and Konnor McClain.
Rotation 3
After the third rotation, LSU was in the lead 148.05-147.575. On the balance beam, Alabama posted a score of 49.125, and on the floor, the Tigers posted a 49.325.
Hudson posted a 9.9, which marked the highest score for the Crimson Tide on the balance beam. The balance beam title again went to LSU’s Chio, who posted a 9.925.
Rotation 4
Alabama was on the floor for the final rotation, while LSU was on the balance beam. On the floor, the Crimson Tide posted a 49.5 and the Tigers posted a 49.25.
The Crimson Tide gymnasts ran around Coleman Coliseum right before the first floor routine, getting fans and the whole student section up on their feet.
“Knowing everyone in this building is cheering for us automatically just helps. It feels like a force field around us,” Hudson said.
Junior Gabby Gladieux posted a 9.975 on the floor to seal the deal as the highest scorer for the Crimson Tide and the event winner.
Chio took the all-around title after scoring 39.65.
The Crimson Tide travels to St. Louis, Missouri, next Friday for the Zou to the Lou quad meet against No. 9 Missouri, Illinois and Iowa. The meet is set to start at 6:30 p.m. CT.
