The Alabama gymnastics team, ranked No. 4 in the preseason poll, reported back to Tuscaloosa on Sunday and began training again Monday (Dec. 27).

"We're excited to have everyone back safe and sound and now we're ready to get things going for the last stretch of workouts before the season gets started," head coach Sarah Patterson said.

Tickets to the 2005 NCAA Gymnastics Championships, held April 21-23, in Auburn, Ala. will go on sale Tuesday, Dec. 21 through the Auburn Ticket Office. Tickets can be ordered by calling 1-800-282-1957 or online at www.auburntigers.com/2005NCAAGym/

Alabama Gymnastics has been to 22 consecutive NCAA Championships, better than all but one program in the history of the NCAA. Last season, Alabama finished third and won three individual national titles. This year's Crimson Tide squad features three-time NCAA Champion Ashley Miles, two-time Olympic silver medalist Terin Humphrey and four returning All- Americans.

Alabama season tickets are available through the UA ticket office at 205.348.BAMA or online at www.rolltide.com.

Bama was hard at it in the practice gym this past Sunday. Some positive news to report is the reappearance in the gym of sophomore Brittany Comeaux, who was working primarily on the uneven bars and the vault today. Several Tide gymnasts were working complete routines and fine-tuning their floor choreography on this date. This was a shorter practice than usual due to the team's scheduled community service visit to nearby DCH Hospital, where some Tide Tykes were eagerly awaiting their arrival. Highlights from practice included:

We have a new "Chalk Talk" from Coach Patterson:

• Chalk talk - Friday, December 03, 2004