A sold out crowd, dressed in pink showed up to witness No. 5 Alabama gymnastics 196.575 – 194.8 decisive win over No. 15 Kentucky in the ninth annual Power of Pink meet.
The win moves Alabama to a perfect 19-0 when competing in pink leotards and the Tide is now 3-0, 3-0 SEC.
15,075 fans showed up to support the cause and cheer for breast cancer awareness as head coach Sarah Patterson and others presented a check for total of $1.35 million to the DCH Breast Cancer Fund, including $104,400 raised since last year and the $25,000 Zeta Tau Alpha National Foundation donated in Sarah Patterson’s name this summer.
“We had a great meet and it was such an honor to represent all of the survivors out there,” junior Kim Jacob said. “No matter how we did, it was a great meet to just get out there and do it for them.
“We took some baby steps forward and still have a lot to improve on.”
Once the hugs, tears and celebration settled, the Crimson Tide put on a show in front of its home crowd.
Alabama matched its season opener total of 49.175 on the vault, led by senior Ashley Sledge and junior Diandra Milliner’s scores of 9.875.
The Tide followed its vault routine with a season-best 49.4 on the uneven bars behind 9.9s from Jacob and senior Ashley Priess. Only Florida (49.6) and Nebraska (49.450) have tallied scores of better than 49.4 on uneven bars this season.
Kentucky’s vault score of 48.65 and uneven bars score of 48.3 were its lowest of the season.
Alabama faltered on the balance beam with a score of 48.65, having to count a fall for the second straight week after both Priess and senior Marissa Gutierrez took a tumble. Sophomore Kayla Williams paced the Tide with a 9.9 on the beam. Williams knew it was a good routine as soon as she stuck her dismount as she beamed with confidence.
“We had a fall earlier in the lineup and I didn’t want us to have to count one,” Williams said. “So my goal was to just go up and hit and do what I know how to do.”
The Tide finished strong on the floor exercise with a season-best 49.350. Jacob scored a season-high 9.925, while Milliner and Gutierrez each had 9.9s.
“We still aren’t perfect yet, but what I did like is that we finished it on floor,” Patterson said. “Last week, we struggled on floor and even though you have some problems, it’s great to see your athletes to come back and finish strong.”
Alabama returns to action Saturday, Feb. 2 when the Tide travels to Athens to face the Georgia Bulldogs in Stegeman Coliseum. The meet is scheduled for 4 p.m.
The Tide returns home Friday, Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. to face Auburn.
Individual Event Winners:
All-Around: Kim Jacob, UA – 39.275
Vault: Ashley Sledge, UA; Diandra Milliner, UA – 9.875
Uneven Bars: Kim Jacob, UA; Ashley Priess, UA – 9.9
Balance Beam: Kayla Williams, UA – 9.9
Floor Exercise: Kim Jacob, UA – 9.925
Alabama Vault Total – 49.175
Kentucky Uneven Bars Total- 48.3
Alabama Uneven Bars Total- 49.4
Kentucky Vault Total- 48.65
Alabama Balance Beam Total- 48.650
Kentucky Floor Exercise Total- 48.875
Alabama Floor Exercise Total- 49.35
Kentucky Balance Beam Total- 48.975
