Alabama Gymnastics: Crimson Tide Finishes 3rd In SEC Championship

The No. 6 Alabama Gymnastics team showed heart and determination as they battled to a 3rd place finish.

On Saturday in Jacksonville, Florida, Alabama Gymnastics battled its way to a third-place finish in the SEC Championship. It was the nineteenth consecutive year, the Crimson Tide has finished in the SEC top three.

Every gymnastics meet has a theme. Whether that theme is about focus, determination or efficiency Alabama Gymnastics has shown grit and competitiveness in every meet. The theme for the SEC Championships was simply one word: resilient.

NFL Hall of Fame legend Vince Lombardi once said, vincelombardi.com

"“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.”"

The Alabama Gymnastics team showed the true meaning of that quote in Jacksonville.

The Crimson Tide made mistakes in all four events but battled through and scored a 197.400 to finish in the top-three for the 19th consecutive year. LSU scored a 198.075 as they claimed their first SEC title since 1981 with Florida coming in second place with a score of 197.825.

Alabama Gymnastics head coach Dana Duckworth told rolltide.com

"“Fight, resilience and tenacity and the connection and love that our ladies have for one another were the key to us being able to finish in the top three at this meet for the 19th consecutive year. There is no doubt that the most significant thing we did tonight is we never gave up.”"

It all started when senior Keely McNeer fell on the balance beam in the first event. Keely got right back up and finished the performance as her team rallied around her for support. Juniors Kiana Winston, Nickie Guerrero and freshman Wynter Childers were able to post scores of 9.900 or better to end the event with a 49.400 team score, only .200 under the team average.

Alabama Gymnastics coach Dana Duckworth praised the team’s focus as she told rolltide.com

"“You look at the fact that our first gymnast fell on our first event and we fought back to score a 49.400…that just screams resilience.”"

The Crimson Tide moved on to the floor exercise where senior Aja Sims and freshman Maddie Desch both stumbled a little in their performances. Seniors Amanda Jetter and Katie Bailey, sophomore Ari Guerrera, freshman Maddie Desch and junior Kiana Winston pushed through and helped the team score a 49.250.

Alabama Gymnastics then moved to the Vault where three gymnasts had a career-best score: freshman Maddie Desch shined with a 9.950, freshman Wynter Childers exploded with a 9.900 and sophomore Abby Armbrecht delivered a 9.875.

The Crimson Tide ended the night on the Uneven Bars when senior Katie Bailey tied her career best with a 9.95 score that also earned her the title SEC Championship. Alabama Gymnastics coach Dana Duckworth explained to rolltide.com

"“Katie didn’t have the best night on her first two routines, and I told her to finish strong and she did just that with an amazing uneven bars routine.”"

Junior Kiana Winston won the SEC Championship on the Balance Beam and was the constant athlete through the entire championship.

Alabama Gymnastics coach Dana Duckworth told rolltide.com

"“I can’t say enough about Kiana, going 9.95 on beam and 9.925 on the floor. She just continues to get it done each week.”"

Next: Compare Current Tide Softball Pitchers to Alabama's Best

The Crimson Tide will now wait to find out their destination for the NCAA Regionals as the committee will make the announcement on Monday, March 20th at 3:00 PM. Check in with us on Facebook as we update what’s next for Alabama Gymnastics.