The Alabama Gymnastics team is third in the rankings released today with a 196.917 season average over its first seven meets of the season.

The Crimson Tide, No. 1 a week ago, was jumped by UCLA, 197.109, and Utah, 196.985, both of which took advantage of big home scores last week to pass the Tide.

Alabama, coming off a 197.875 at Denver, is at home this Friday for only the second time this season, against No. 10 ranked LSU. Georgia and Nebraska round out the top five at fourth and fifth. Florida, the Tide's opponent in two weeks in Gainesville is at No. 6, while Arizona State, Stanford and Oregon State are Nos. 7, 8 and 9 respectively.

The Tide is second on the floor exercise, third on the balance beam, fifth on the uneven bars and sixth on the vault this week.

Junior Jeana Rice continues to set the pace for the Tide. Last week's Southeastern Conference and National Gymnast of the Week is second in the all-around, third on the balance beam, fifth on the uneven bars and ninth on the vault. Last weekend at Denver, Rice posted a trio of 9.9s in a closely scored meet.

Senior Kristin Sterner is ranked 12th in the all-around while sophomore Shannon Hrozek is 25th. Sterner is also 18th on the balance beam. Freshman Ashley Miles is ranked third on the floor exercise and seventh on the vault while classmate Dana Pierce breaks into the vault rankings at 17th this week.

10 February 2003 - by Total Season Average