Alabama Gymnastics Hopes to Continue Momentum into SECs

In the Crimson Tide's last SEC Championship meet, the team stole the win away from LSU, after Luisa Blanco scored a 9.950 on the balance beam; however, last year's win isn't on the Tide's mind. The focus is solely on performing consistently and winning the SEC meet Saturday.

"We haven't earned anything this year," said head coach Dana Duckworth. "What we did last year should give them the confidence that they can, but it starts with a clean slate."

Alabama returned the majority of its gymnasts from last year's squad and added a couple freshman into the mix this year. The veterans of the team helped prepare the freshman for the atmosphere at the SEC Championship.

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The Crimson Tide gymnastics team scored its second consecutive 198 or higher the last meet they competed in. That meet also happened to be the first quad meet of the season which featured Arkansas, Auburn, and Georgia.

Birmingham hosts the 2022 SEC Championship meet which is split into two sections. The bottom four SEC teams compete at 2:30 p.m. CST and the top four teams compete at 7 p.m. CST. Duckworth said the meet is unique because Alabama gets to compete against three of the best teams in the country on a level playing field because the teams are all judged by the same people.

"It's fast paced. It's going to be competitive and just allows these ladies to shine," said Duckworth.

Alabama competes in the evening session on Saturday against Auburn, Florida, and LSU. The Tide lost on the road to all three teams but beat Auburn in a neutral site at Elevate the Stage, in Huntsville, Ala. Considering that Saturday's meet is an hour from Tuscaloosa, the meet should feel more like a home atmosphere which Alabama excelled in. The team was perfect in home meets on the season.

Both sessions of the 2022 SEC Championship will air on the SEC Network.