The old saying that a team improves the most between its first and second outing might have been coined for the GymTide. Any fears that Bama might suffer a letdown after the previous week's emotional Super Six Challenge victory were quickly dispelled as the Tide jumped out to a big lead over first-time-out Penn State, and 'never looked back'.

The Tide's vault team got the evening started with a 49.350, within .025 of their number-three-in-the-nation Super Six Challenge vault score of 49.375. Bama's vault rotation could be called a play in three acts, or better, a tale of three scores. Shannon had a 9.30, Ashley had a 9.95, and everyone else had a 9.85. Shannon is making the tough front vault to Yurchenko vault transition that Kristin Sterner made last year. To use a technical term, Shannon got a little 'discombobulated' in the air and fell. However, I did a quick poll of ten fans at the post-meet reception asking the question, "Will Shannon's Yurchenko vault be a success?" Eight fans responded with, "absolutely, of course!" one said,"Your what?" and the other said, "Salto, you're so lame, and so is your silly poll." Well, anyway...(ahem)...moving on, Ashley's vault was yet another 9.90-plus. I'll tell you, fans, it's worth the price of admission just to see Ashley's vault, simply amazing every time. Even though everyone else had a 9.85, there was a lot of variety. Dana Filetti's unique vault still really stands out and was well executed. It was great to see Dana Pierce throw a very nice Yurchenko 1/1(we thought it might even get a 9.90). And it's a shame that the 'style points', so to speak, don't actually start until the gymnast gets to the vault table, because Alexis' high-flying vault looks good from the moment she starts down the runway. In fact, the same goes for Dana Pierce's vault, as well. I don't want to leave the vault without a mention of Mobile's own Johnna Gay. The Tide freshman got her first taste of competition with a very creditable exhibition Yurchenko back tuck 1/1 vault for a 9.775.

After a little struggle on bars at the Super Six Challenge, it was good to see the Tide bar team rebound with a solid 49.300 - one of those scores you'll take every time. Ashley started things off in fine fashion, her excellent routine scoring a 9.875. Dana Pierce's return to the bars line-up was good for a 9.80. Brittany followed her up with a 9.875, the same score she had last week - although, sort of from a different direction. In the first meet, her routine just needed a tiny bit of polishing in a couple of places, but she stuck her landing. This week, Brittany got the polishing done, but took a little step on her dismount. So, logic would suggest that when she puts a polished-up routine together with a stuck landing. . . well, don't be surprised at the score she gets! Next up was the current standard-bearer for the 'Alabama-style' on uneven bars, Shannon Hrozek. As usual,excellent toe-point, perfect handstands, smooth transitions, steady pacing, and beautiful to watch - this time for a 9.85. Dana Filetti was next and managed only a 9.30 due to a fall on her dismount. Much like Ashley in the first meet, Dana had a very good bar routine going right until the end. It might have been just the angle I was sitting, but it looked like Dana's timing was just a little late right before she began her dismount. Luckily, working that timing out is what January is all about. So, the Tide had four good scores, but really needed one big-time score to keep the momentum. Cue Jeana Rice! 9.90, thank you very much, and it would have been even higher but for the baby-est of baby steps on her landing.

If it's balance beam time, it's Michelle Reeser time. And Bama's beam leader didn't disappoint with a tremendous 9.875. It's becoming difficult to imagine anyone else leading off. However, except for the fact that it would scare me silly if they tried it, I would like to see Michelle and Jeana swap positions for one meet - just for fun. The next four gymnasts, Rachael, Dana Pierce, Shannon, and Mari had scores of 9.80, 9.75, 9.775, and 9.80, respectively. I thought all of these scores were low because the routines were uniformly excellent. That can mean only one thing, that they each missed a combination or connection bonus or omitted some required element - or some other such arcane judging mystery that is totally over my rank amateur head! Therefore, once again, the Tide needed someone to put up a big score and, once again, Jeana chipped in a 9.90. The beam team's 49.150 left Bama well in the lead. Freshman Erin Rightley performed what was, if you have been following my pre-season articles and those of the PBA's, a much anticipated exhibition beam routine. The Ft. Walton Beach native didn't disappoint, although she did have a fall on her flight series.

Ah, floor exercise, lovely, nation-leading floor exercise, everybody's favorite. There were several notable happenings during Bama's Floor and I'll try to, at least, hit the high points. Michelle's routine is still completely, well, I don't know what else to call it but 'darling'(I know, I'm so old-fashioned, but there it is!). Dana Filetti is making steady progress on her floor routine, and shows every sign of becoming another Bama ace. I and the judges still love Jeana's routine - I gave her a 10.0, but the judges went for a 9.95. Of course, to be fair, I don't have a sign that says 9.95. Stephanie Kite had a fall on her tough opening tumbling pass, resulting in a 9.275. Anybody can have a fall, so I wasn't too surprised. Now, if you were to try to make me believe that Stephanie had a grade go down to a 'B' on her report card, then, then I might need oxygen! Mari stepped up next and put in one of her patented, beautiful routines for a 9.90. Alexis subbed in the anchor position for a resting Ashley Miles and 'wowed' the crowd with a powerful, and powerfully pretty, routine for a 9.925, yielding a floor team score of 49.325 and a team total of 197.125 to 194.600 for Penn State. There was one more routine of note, however, as Lauren performed a powerhouse exhibition including a double front tuck in her first tumbling pass.

All in all, a great evening of gymnastics. The Tide improved from their winning performance in the Super Six Challenge, yet still managed to work on building some depth and resting some folks to keep everyone fresh for the long haul. Penn State struggled at times, what with it being their first meet and having a lot of freshmen and other newcomers. However, they stuck with it and improved with each rotation. Next up for the Tide is a trip to Baton Rouge, both their first road and their first conference meet. Luckily, the PBA's will also be on hand to give us one of their first-hand accounts that will, no doubt, once again make us feel like we're actually there. Roll Tide!!!