By: Elliot Miller
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 10 Alabama defeated No. 18 Georgia at home during the 20th Anniversary of the Power of Pink meet, winning 198.075-196.975.
Alabama was firing on all cylinders throughout the meet as they posted the third-highest score in program history, fueled by the highest floor score in program history and tying the season-high on the uneven bars – for the third time this season.
Luisa Blanco and Gabby Gladieux both had outstanding all-around performances for the Crimson Tide. Blanco took the honors of having the best all-around score of 39.675, while Gladieux took a share of the best vault score with a 9.925 – a season-high – and the best floor routine with a 9.975. Shania Adams posted a season-high as well as tying a career-high on the balance beam with a score of 9.950. Ella Burgess also heavily contributed to the team’s success, as she posted a career-high of 9.950 on her floor routine.
Georgia’s Katie Finnegan managed to tie Gladieux’s score on the vault, but Georgia was never able to catch Alabama from the end of the first rotation. Despite all the positives that came out of the meet, Makarri Doggette’s injury during warmups left a hole to fill on the team for both the vault and bars.
“I was really proud of how the team came together and they competed for her,” said Alabama Head Coach Ashley Johnston in response to Doggette’s injury.
Jamison Sears filled in admirably on the fly for Doggette, posting a score of 9.825 on the vault to aid Alabama’s early lead after the first rotation by a score of 49.325-49.275. Shania Adams then took Doggette’s place on bars for the second rotation and was awarded an outstanding score of 9.950, which was later matched by Blanco to grow the lead to a comfortable margin of 0.375 by the midway point of the meet.
“Our theme before the meet was just to build… until we can’t build anymore,” said Blanco.
The Tide continued to build upon their lead in the third rotation, headlined by the would-be perfect 10.000 by Blanco if it weren’t for a reduction for going over the time limit, instead resulting in a 9.900. For the final rotation, every gymnast posted a score above a 9.900, stifling any chance of a Georgia comeback, as Coleman Coliseum roared louder and louder with each floor routine’s completion as the night went on.
“It shows momentum, but it also shows the depth and potential this team has,” said Gladieux.
Entering the meet tied for fourth in conference play with a record of 2-2-1, Alabama will hold position after improving to 3-2-1 – as Arkansas was able to unseat Kentucky. With a historic performance to build from, the Crimson Tide will look to beat an LSU team that just posted a season-best road performance in a loss to Florida. If successful, Alabama would manage to shake up the top half of the SEC by handing the Tigers their first home loss of the season.
Alabama will face-off against LSU on Friday, March 1 in another ranked SEC clash that will be televised on ESPN2.
