Alabama engaged in a brief but concentrated practice (90 minutes) prior to signing autographs on the Quad. Andree Pickens was elected to the homecoming court and was excused from practice on this date. Highlights on a few of the gals include...

Lauren Holdefer: on the balance beam she was working on a punch front and a double twist dismount. She is in great shape and was also working on her Voronin release on the uneven bars.

Michelle Reeser: she went through her entire routine on the floor for balance beam and has added a punch front to a wolf jump, as well as her flight series of back handspring to layout. She has gained confidence in just a few weeks on this event and really appears comfortable on the beam in general. Nice giants and a Gienger release were thrown on the uneven bars, with improved form.

Erin Holdefer: we finally got a chance to see her vault the pike with a 1/2 twist and are pleased to report that her explosion off the horse and her form (legs tightly together, toes pointed) were excellent. The vault was thrown several times and she seems much more comfortable with it than last year.

Natalie Barrington: she was working (we think) on a whip to a 1 1/2 twist on the floor, which would increase her difficulty on this event considerably (also is throwing a double pike and a double tuck). Natalie demonstrated about 50% of her routine with the new music and dance elements. PBAs predict this will be one of the Tide's better routines in terms of choreography and crowd appeal.

Raegan Tomasek: worked beam, vault and bars on this date. Her pike with a 1/2 twist was thrown with more height but she is still struggling a bit with the twisting as she attempts to maintain her form and extension.

Tiffany Byrd: nice work on the bars (giants, pirouettes, Tkatchev release) and balance beam (flight series and leaps). She was working on a whip to a double pike on the floor to beef up her difficulty as well.

Alexa Martinez: PBAs got a chance to hear her new music and see her work on choreography with Coach Patterson. Another great routine from Alexa that will have plenty of dance, reportedly four tumbling passes, and international music as the background. She continues to look strong on the balance beam and her uneven bars improvement has really inspired her team mates and coaches alike.

Shannon Hrozek: very nice work on the balance beam, including the switch leap to 3/4 straddle and a flight series of ff, layout, layout. She reminds PBAs a bit of Danielle McAdams on the beam in terms of dance moves and presentation.