Gymnastics Program Records Fall in Tuscaloosa
TUSACALOOSA, Ala. – Arkansas gymnastics coach Jordyn Wieber did something even more impressive than winning her Olympic gold medal Friday night. She took her youthful Razorbacks team into Tuscaloosa to face No. 3 Alabama and didn't lose.
For those who are unfamiliar with the sport, it's pretty similar to how things are in football. Alabama is really good and Arkansas almost never faces the Tide without taking a loss. Coming into Friday night's meet, the two teams reportedly faced off 55 times and Alabama came out the winner in 50.
However, in an anticipated match featuring the nation's top-ranked floor team in Arkansas and the top-ranked bars team in Alabama, it came down to one final floor routine for the Tide.
Alabama was all but done. The Razorbacks had just secured a win in three of four events with graduate transfer Sirena Linton's 9.900 on beam and locked in a program best 197.525. Still, there was technically a chance, although it would require near perfection.
With Alabama averaging a 9.838 for the night on floor, Lily Hudson took off on the mat to the tune of "Sweet Home Alabama" needing a 9.95 to come back and tie Arkansas during the meet's last performance. Riding the energy in Coleman Coliseum, Hudson delivered exactly that, snatching a true win away from the Razorbacks, but not quite enough to put Arkansas in the loss column once again.
Typically a the meet is essentially over if the visitors don't carry a solid lead after three events because home team always finishes with floor while the visiting squad heads to beam. Consistent high scores come easier on floor and the slightest wobble on beam can turn into a moment that kills an entire night with huge deductions.
So, when Arkansas trailed 148.125 to 148.150 following three events, a lead built primarily by Alabama's dominance on bars, there didn't seem to be much chance. If the Razorbacks posted their previous week's scores on beam, which helped set another program record for highest season-opening score, Wieber's team would definitely lose.
However, junior Kalyxta Gamiao delivered a smooth, focused performance to open the event with a 9.925, it set the tone needed to come back and pile on the pressure. Another 9.900 routine from Linton helped Arkansas continue to tear down school records with a final 49.400 event score.
Depending on how California scores Saturday and how Oklahoma performs at its meet Sunday, Arkansas and Alabama could find themselves No. 1 and 2 respectively when the official rankings come out next week.
Arkansas and Alabama will hook up again in Denton, Texas in a few weeks at a quad meet at Texas Women's University along with Arizona on Monday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.
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