While the Alabama gymnastics team prefers a slow build over the course of a season, one night a year always stands out as meaning a little bit more than others.
In front of a sell-out crowd in Coleman Coliseum, No. 7 Alabama took down No. 10 Arkansas 197.125 to 196.1 in the 10th annual Power of Pink meet, which raises awareness for breast cancer and money for the DCH Breast Cancer Fund.
Coach Sarah Patterson presented a check before the meet for $108,900, bringing the Crimson Tide’s total amount raised to $1.45 million.
Alabama is now 21-0 overall while wearing pink and advances to 3-1 on the season and 3-0 in the SEC.
“We go out there not about winning tonight,” senior Kim Jacob said. “But it really motivates us getting to walk out with a survivor and seeing everyone wear pink for such a great cause. It pushes us to be the best we can be.”
The highlight of the night may have been freshman Dominique Pegg’s Crimson Tide debut on vault. Pegg’s mother is a breast cancer survivor and was introduced alongside her before the meet. Pegg scored a solid 9.8 with her mother in the crowd.
“It was amazing. More than I could imagine it was going to be. Very inspiring for sure,” Pegg said about her night. “I couldn’t really prepare myself for how it was going to be.”
Jacob led the way for Alabama, posting at least a 9.9 on the three events she competed in.
Freshman Katie Bailey once again competed in the all-around, scoring a 38.625. Bailey has competed in all four events in her first three meets as an Alabama gymnast.
In all, 10 of Alabama’s 24 routines came from freshmen, with four freshman gymnasts competing Friday.
“This freshman class – and Kim said it best after the first meet – they remind me of the senior class when they came in as freshmen,” Coach Sarah Patterson said. “They’re not perfect in warm-ups, but they make most of the adjustments they need to. This group of women has one of the best temperaments in terms of team unity and their work ethic. And I’ve coached a long time with some pretty good teams.”
DeMeo’s vault and a 9.875 from Diandra Milliner powered Alabama in the opening rotation. On uneven bars, Jacob led Alabama with a 9.9 as the Crimson Tide turned in a 49.3.
DeMeo and Jacob once again led Alabama on balance beam, turning in a 9.9 and 9.925, respectively. Jacob finished the night with a bang, posting a 9.9 on the floor event and solidifying the win.
“We weren’t perfect tonight, but we improved in a lot of different areas,” Patterson said. “I couldn’t be more proud of this team right now. We’re on pace to do what we need to do.”
