ATHENS, GA - Alabama gymnastics coach Sarah Patterson said that Jeana Rice has been ready to compete before Thanksgiving and today at the Super Six Challenge, the junior All-American proved her right.

"It's no secret that Jeana struggled last year," Patterson said. "This year she came in, and she was in competitive shape by Thanksgiving and it really nice to see her rebound from last year's adversity and perform at this level."

Rice came out in her first meet of the season and not only won three events, including the all-around, but posted a career best mark in the all-around and uneven bars and tied her career best on the balance beam.

Rice wasn't the only Tide gymnast to bring home individual gold. Rookie Ashley Miles made a splash in her debut, winning the vault and floor exercise with a pair of 9.950s.

"Ashley has the potential to be a national champion during her career," Patterson said. "I was very pleased with how she performed tonight, but she has so much more in her arsenal. This is just a starting point for her, as it is for the rest of the team."

As a team, Alabama finished fourth with a healthy 196.000. Georgia won the event with a 197.35, followed by Nebraska, 196.700, and Florida, 196.625. Penn State and Oklahoma rounded out the meet at 194.375 and 193.375 respectively.

"We went from being a veteran team last year to being a team with seven freshmen and three sophomores this season," Patterson said. "Over half of our routines came from the underclass tonight. Our freshmen have a great deal of talent, but it's going to take a while for every to find their way."

Sophomore Shannon Hrozek got the Tide's 2003 season off to a sterling start, posting a 9.875 in the leadoff spot on the uneven bars, the Tide's first event. Rice finished off the rotation with a team best 9.950, leading the Tide to a 49.100 team score.

Alabama struggled on the balance beam, coming up with a 48.200 team score after posting three sub-9.500 scores. Rice again led the Tide, earning a 9.925 while senior Kristin Sterner finished the event off with a solid 9.850.

"I told them in the locker room during the bye that the only way they would disappointment me after our problems on uneven bars and balance beam was if they came out on the floor exercise and didn't give it their all," Patterson said. "When they had such a good floor and vault set to finish the meet out, that showed me that this team has a little bit of spunk and backbone."

Junior Stephanie Kite continues to lead off the Tide's floor routines, posting a 9.825 while sophomore Michelle Reeser scored a 9.875, Rice a 9.900 and Miles brought the Tide home with a 9.950. As a team, Alabama scored a 49.400.

The Tide finished the meet off with a 49.300 on the vault led by Rice's 9.925 and Miles 9.950.

Alabama comes right back to Athens, Ga. next weekend, facing the Lady Dogs in dual meet competition Saturday (Jan. 18) at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Tide opens its home slate Jan. 31 against Michigan at 7 p.m. Season tickets are on sale through the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262) or online at www.rolltide.com.