It sure feels like forever since the last time I've written...I know it's just been a week but so much has happened since then! School is now in full swing and everybody is trying to keep ahead in classes since we are traveling close to every other week. This past week we had a fabulous three days of practices, really focusing on hitting routines under pressure. With several girls resting nagging pains, everyone really had to step it up and be ready in case they were needed. The entire week in the gym was just really exciting and fun because we there was so much obvious progress and we were all ready to take on our in state rival:)
Auburn weekend is always one of our favorites, and for various reasons. Of course there is nothing like the Alabama/Auburn rivalry in athletics, and we intend to keep our winning streak of 93 consecutive meets going as long as we can! But our one bus trip a year to Auburn doesn't just take us to the competition venue. It makes a several hour stop at the Summit, which is basically paradise for any shopper. We all split up in groups to hit our favorite stores and conveniently all found each other taking full advantage of the sales. About two hours later, with empty wallets and hungry stomachs, we got to enjoy some wonderful food at The Cheesecake Factory. After enjoying our meals and a couple pieces of cheesecake per table, we were back on the bus heading for our final destination.
On to the meet now...We had a phenomenal start on bars with so many amazing routines start to finish. My highlight came right in the middle with the welcome back performance by Miss Jacqueline Shealy. Wow, what a routine! She missed several handstands but for her and for our team, it was just about getting back out there again. I don't think she has ever been so nervous for a routine in her life but she sure came through and I am so proud of her!
After such a great start on bars we were a little disappointed with the vault scores. Our vaults were all very strong and clean, but instead of focusing on those six performances, we all tended to put more emphasis on the judging, which kind of hurt us in terms of energy. But we learned from it and understand that scores are going to vary from meet to meet and judge to judge.
After a few tentative floor routines, our final three girls, Kayla, Kassi, and Morgan really came through, selling their routines and throwing some huge tumbling! They sure got our fans into their routines and proved why they're such incredible competitors. As we finished up, we knew we needed to rock beam and get the job done just like we do everyday in practice because Auburn was coming on strong and would be finishing on their best event with their home crowd pulling for them.
Our beam line up was amazing as each girl went out there and confidently hit her routine. Casey started us off with a near perfect set and Amanda, Ricki, Kayla, Kassi, and Brittany all followed with one of their own. I think that was probably the best situation we could have ever found ourselves in, and perhaps one of the most high pressure scenarios we'll face all season. It could have been so easy to hold back and be timid, but the aggressiveness and fight we displayed just showed everyone what Alabama Gymnastics is all about. We are not ones to ever back down from a challenge and we'll give 110% until the end, having tons of fun along the way.
We returned home to Tuscaloosa late that night and were able to enjoy the entire day off on Saturday. We all used it to rest, study, and just hang out, and some of us went and saw "27 Dresses" with Katherine Heigl, a movie I would definitely reccommend:) We were back in the gym the following day trying to fix little mistakes and concentrate on our problem areas. The focus for the next two days...Sticking landings!!
Well that's all I have for you today...We're off to Kentucky Thursday afternoon to take on the Cats!!! If you can't make it, be sure to follow us online right here!!! ROLL TIDE!!!
