By: Adam Hambright
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.– It was a mistake-filled night in Barnhill Arena as Alabama was able to do just
enough to win their first road meet of the season by a score of 196.525-195.575.
After the meet Coach Ashley Johnston acknowledged the mistakes and hopes to use this experience to
prepare for the rest of the season.
“We take our wins, and we take the things we need to work on and put those into training for next week,”
said Johnston.
Both teams started strong with the lowest score for either team being 9.750. Both Norah Flatley for
Arkansas and Luisa Blanco for Alabama posted scores of 9.9. Alabama held a small lead of 49.300-
49.150 after the first rotation.
The Crimson Tide extended their lead in the second rotation thanks to some mistakes from the Razorback
gymnasts on bars. Jensen Scalzo and Flatley posted scores of 9.9, but three gymnasts failed to post a
score higher than 9.150. The Tide did not perform as well on vault but was able to be consistent enough
to post a team score of 49.000 and lead 98.300-96.950.
Alabama returned the favor on floor with uncharacteristic mistakes from Makarri Doggette who scored a
9.575 and Lilly Hudson who scored a 9.075. Then again on beam when Blanco lost her balance and
posted the lowest score of the night with an 8.625. Arkansas was able to close the gap but were unable to
complete the comeback.
Freshman Lillian Lewis made her debut for the Tide, scoring a 9.775 on the balance beam in her first ever match.
Lead by Flatley, Arkansas was able to close the gap but were unable to complete the comeback. Flatley
finished her night winning the all-around with a final score of 39.575.
Alabama hopes to clean up the mistakes as they prepare to host Trinity Thomas and the second-ranked
Florida Gators next Friday at 6:30 p.m. on ESPNU.
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