Alabama gymnastics posts season-high score to advance to national semifinals
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By Alabama standards, the Crimson Tide gymnastics team had a disappointing regular season. But they seem to be turning a corner at the perfect time.
Alabama posted a season-high 197.675 + finished second in the Tuscaloosa Regional Final, qualifying for the national semifinals in Fort Worth this weekend.
“For me as a coach, watching that from a distance and seeing that this team has the maturity, the skill set and the trust in each other to really come together in the hardest, most challenging moment and find a way to thrive – that is what Alabama gymnastics is all about.”
Ashley Johnston, Alabama coach
Tide finishes second at Tuscaloosa regional
The Crimson Tide hosted a regional for the 17th time in program history, finishing in the top two every single time.
Alabama, who entered the postseason as the No. 11 national seed, topped No. 6 California by 0.100 to become the only team outside the top eight to make the national semifinals.
The team had a gymnast claim at least a share of the highest individual score in each event. Those performances included:
- Corinne Bunagan, vault: 9.900
- Chloe LaCoursiere, bars: 9.950
- Gabby Gladieux, beam: 9.950
- Lilly Hudson, floor: 9.950
Alabama will make its 40th appearance in the national semifinals and is looking for its seventh national title + first since 2012.
NCAA Gymnastics Championships
Eight teams are still competing for the championship. They’re split into two semifinals with the top two scores from each session advancing to the final.
No. 11 Alabama will be in an all-SEC semifinal, squaring off agains No. 2 Oklahoma, No. 3 Florida + No. 7 Missouri. The Tide had the third highest score of that group during the regional finals.
The other semifinal includes defending champion and No. 1 LSU along with No. 4 Utah, No. 5 UCLA + No. 8 Michigan State.
Here’s what you need to know before the start of the championship meet:
- What: 2025 NCAA Gymnastics Championships
- Where: Dickies Arena | Fort Worth, TX
- Semifinal 1: 3:30PM, April 17 | ESPN2
- Semifinal 2: 8PM, April 17 | ESPN2
- Championship: 3PM, April 19 | ABC
- More info | Tickets
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