In late 1950, forces representing the Peoples Republic of China, some sources say one million men under arms, poured into the Korean Peninsula, overwhelming a much smaller defending force representing the United Nations, including thousands of Americans. Following heroic retreats, enormous attacks, and equally massive counterattacks, the United Nations forces, after many months of some of the most horrific fighting the world has ever seen, fought the forces of Red China and North Korea to a stalemate - resulting in much the same borders as now exist between North and South Korea. I bring this up in an essay about this past weekend's Alabama/Georgia gymnastics meet for three reasons. First, my father fought in Korea and I think, as do many others, that too little is remembered these days about the contribution that he and all those brave men and women made to world peace. Second, when Alabama and Georgia met earlier in the year at the Super Six Challenge, they fought a back and forth battle to a stalemate, as well. And third, I 'm trying not to lose my perspective, in the grand scheme of things, when I start writing about the remarkable events of Friday past.

Even the weather seemed to be in tune with the spirit of the evening as clashing fronts stirred up a terrific storm, casting thousands into the dark (and cold...brrrrr). About 8500 fans showed up, despite the 'land hurricane'. It soon became obvious that it would take more than a little blowing rain to dampen their enthusiasm. As usual, the meet started out with Bama - as the home team - on vault and the visitors from 'the Athens of Clarke County' on the bars. At least one pattern for the evening seemed to be set right away. Both teams seemed to score well on events that are perceived, at least historically, as their weaknesses, while falling perhaps a little short on events perceived as their strengths. Georgia has had, by most reports, a bit of a tough time on the bars this year. But this time they scored a 40.225, well above their average for the year. Alabama, with the injury to Katie Hornecker, has had to scramble a bit on the vault. However, Bama had to be pleased with the 49.200 they received. Thus, the first rotation ended with Georgia holding a slight lead.

Despite the Gymdog lead, Bama had to feel fairly confident moving to the bars for the second rotation. Now, Georgia is a great vaulting team, but Alabama's bar rotation has been outstanding this year. After it was all said and done, I'm sure both teams were satisfied with their scores. I'm sure both teams felt they could have done a little better on their respective 'strengths'. And, I'm quite sure both teams were happy to get the second rotation over with! Both teams had gymnasts suffer falls, Amanda Curry for Georgia and Raegan Tomasek for Alabama. Curry was the first gymnast up for Georgia's vault. I don't know enough about the Gymdogs' vault line-up to say if this caused any extra caution for the rest of their rotation. It did bring up that balance beam style 'pressure-cooker' situation for which the rule change to 'one vault only' was specifically intended. Although Raegan's fall came later in the rotation for Bama, the scores previous to her routine seemed, well, at least to me, to have been a bit low. Raegan's spectacular 'sailing off the high bar flying through the air over the low bar landing flat on her back' fall (after which, even though we thought she would call for the paramedics and the smelling salts, of course, she just hopped right up and finished her routine as if nothing had happened) seemed to inspire the remaining bar-workers, judges, fans, and fellow competitors. This culminated with Georgia's Kristi (you can't stop her you can only hope to contain her) Lichey scoring a 9.95 on her vault and Bama's Natalie Barrington scoring a PERFECT 10 on her bar routine. (And it was only a 10 because the judges had their shoes on. If they could have gotten to their toes, who knows...) So after two rotations, Bama takes the lead by, perhaps, less than they might have hoped (98.725 to 98.700).

The rest of the meet was uneventful, ending with a predictable 197.500 to 197.325 Bama victory. Yeah, right! The third rotation again featured the two teams on their historic strengths, with Bama on beam and Georgia on floor. And again, both teams ended up with good scores, just not as 'good' as they might have hoped. After scoring a wonderful 49.35 on the beam against Auburn last week, Bama seemed poised to keep up with the typical Georgia floor onslaught. There must be a rule that says you never get what you expect in a gymnastics. Bama started well enough, but then started to 'fight it' a bit. To the team's credit, they managed a workmanlike 40.075 - it appeared through sheer determination. Meanwhile, Georgia, with a chance too really, really put Bama away, managed a very respectable 49.425. So, after three, Georgia was back in the lead by .325. This was going to be a tall order to overcome.

Georgia went to the beam and attacked it with a vengeance. Alabama, on the other hand, got off to a slow start - at least, it seemed slow to us fans. Then, the whole meet started to turn Bama's way, this time for good. Georgia began bending under the pressure, at least a little, on beam. But, darn their 'mangy hides', like the champions they are, they never broke. Oh, they wobbled a little, they waved their arms around some, but they never came off the beam. However, this little ray of hope seemed to ignite the crowd - and the Gymtide. Bama ended in a flurry of wonderful floor routines, with a 10 or two salted in from one judge here and another judge there for good measure. Few events are sweeter, at least for this old Gymtide nut, than a win over the Gymdogs in Tuscaloosa. However, both teams showed that, even on an 'off-night', they are capable of championship level gymnastics. And make no mistake about it, it will take both teams performing at their best to give a certain 'left-coast' team a run for the title.