Bama Hammer
Fansided

Alabama Gymnastics: Crimson Tide Advance to 35th Consecutive NCAA Championship

By Kyle Anderson

Apr 16, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide gymnast Aja Sims (111) hugs head coach Dana Duckworth after her balance beam routine during the team finals of the 2016 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships at Fort Worth Convention Center Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide gymnast Aja Sims (111) hugs head coach Dana Duckworth after her balance beam routine during the team finals of the 2016 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships at Fort Worth Convention Center Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Alabama Gymnastics finished with a score of 196.625 taking second in the NCAA Regional Championship and advancing to the NCAA Championships

The NCAA Morgantown Regional Championships were a tough fight for the Crimson Tide. However, Alabama Gymnastics overcame a few mishaps to finish second behind the Michigan Wolverines and advance to the NCAA Championships for the 35th consecutive time.

"Alabama head coach explained to rolltide.com, “Our sole focus at this meet was advancing to the national championships, which is something we never take for granted even after making it the last 35 years in a row. It wasn’t easy tonight, but we fought hard and earned a place in St. Louis.”"

Alabama Gymnastics started the evening on the Uneven Bars where junior Kiana Winston (aka the Lethal Weapon) and senior Amanda Jetter led the team with 9.9s and helped the Crimson Tide score finish with a team score of 49.350 giving them a tie for the lead.

The real trouble came when the Crimson Tide made their way to the Balance Beam. Numerous gymnasts had some near falls and the routines were not pristine. Senior Aja Simms led the way along with junior Nickie Guerrero and freshman Wynter Childers as they each score a 9.850 to held Alabama Gymnastics recover with a 49.000 team score.

The Crimson Tide then moved on to the Floor Exercise where they could regain their focus and intensity. All six gymnasts scored a 9.850 or better and senior Aja Sims led the rotation with a 9.950 score (the highest individual score of the meet) while the team finished with a 49.475 (the highest team score of the meet).

Alabama Gymnastics finished on the vault with a very unusual performance as they scored a 48.800 team score, their lowest of the season. Junior Kiana Winston (aka the Lethal Weapon) seemed off at the meet following her opening routine on the Uneven Bars.

The great news is that Alabama was able to finish in the top two. Alabama Gymnastics will advance to the NCAA Championships for the 35th consecutive time, one short of the NCAA’s all-time record held by the Utah Utes.

The issues or mishaps that the Crimson Tide had at the Morgantown Regional Championships weren’t enough to derail this team and their march towards another national championship.

Next: Tide Gymnasts Seek Seventh National Championship

Now Alabama Gymnastics will be able to come home and refocus their attention on the NCAA Championships before heading to St. Louis on Friday, April 14th. Share your thoughts about Alabama Gymnastics with us Facebook and Twitter.

Home/Alabama Crimson Tide News