STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – The No. 5 Alabama gymnastics team edged No. 9 Penn State 196.175-196.100 to take first place in Saturday’s four-way meet in Rec Hall. Michigan State was third with a 192.875 while Cornell was fourth with a 188.850. It was Alabama’s first road competition and boosts the Crimson Tide to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in Southeastern Conference competition.

 

With the meet on the line and leading by just a tenth a point, Alabama went to the uneven bars, the event that gave it trouble in its opening meet, for its last event while Penn State went to the floor. After two falls on the uneven bars in its opening meet of the season, Alabama went six-for-six Saturday, posting a 49.075 to win the meet. Sophomore Sarah DeMeo and senior Ashley Priess, led the way for the Tide with matching 9.85s.

 

Alabama started off the night with a 48.725 on the balance beam, the only time this regular season that it will start off on that event, led by sophomore Diandra Milliner’s 9.85. The Tide followed up with a 48.950 on the floor exercise with freshman Lora Leigh Frost posting a team-best 9.85.

 

The Tide came alive on the vault, scoring a 49.425 with juniors Ashley Sledge and Marissa Gutierrez scoring 9.925 and 9.9 respectively to take first and second in the event.

 

Alabama remains on the road for its next meet, though closer to home, when it travels to Auburn, Ala. to take on the Auburn Tigers on Friday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. The Tide’s next home meet is Friday, Feb. 3 against the Florida Gators. Tickets are available through the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262) or online at RollTide.com.