The Crimson Tide returned to the Super Six in magnificent fashion this afternoon with a second place score of 196.650, joining Florida (196.900) and LSU (196.525) in Friday Night's finals against Georgia, Utah and Stanford for the right to compete for the championship trophy.  Alabama was able to overcome adversity on the beam (Ashley O'Neal - two uncharacteristic falls) and uneven bars (Casey Overton - missed the regrasp during her pak salto transition element) by countering with five very solid scores on these events.  Freshman Kayla Hoffman earned first team All America honors on vault while sophomore Morgan Dennis claimed her second first team honor on floor exercise and sophomore Kassi Price nabbed first team honors on the uneven bars.   Here are more highlights from the afternoon session:

• Post Meet Commentary: 2008 NCAA National Championships (Thurs Session 1)

Despite drawing the coveted Olympic rotation order (VT-UB-BB-FX), the Crimson Tide was unable to take proper advantage on their first three events, resulting in a sixth place finish in the Super Six Finals here in Stegeman Coliseum on the campus of the University of Georgia.  The Crimson Tide was the only team that had to count a fall on an event (48.425 on balance beam) and yet recovered from the disappointment to navigate the highest score on floor exercise in the sixth rotation among all teams competing (49.525).  Senior Kaitlin White concluded a great career for the Crimson Tide by performing on the uneven bars (9.775) and Floor Exercise (9.850) in the Super Six.  The Tide will now look forward to post-season honors (3 gymnasts reached first team All America status), both athletically and academically, as they close out the 2008 season with the Medalist Club banquet at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday, May 3rd at 7 pm.  Here are some of the observations recorded during the Super Six Finals:

• Post Meet Commentary: 2008 NCAA National Championships (Supersix)

• Note: At this time we do not know whether or not we will be allowed to post video for this event on the website.

Morgan Dennis

ATHENS, Ga. - Three Alabama Gymnasts competed in tonight's NCAA Individual Event Finals and all three finished in the top-8 of their respective events.

"I challenged our ladies last night to start the 2009 season on the floor exercise and that's what they did," Alabama head coach Sarah Patterson said. "I know the ladies sitting in the stands tonight were looking at things they can use and thinking of ways they can be out there next year. Our ladies who competed tonight did a great job and took another great step towards next year."

Sophomore Morgan Dennis, who won this event a year ago after waiting through 16 routines to compete, was the second gymnast up in this year's floor exercise final, scoring a 9.9 to take fourth place. It marks the ninth year in a row that an Alabama gymnast has figured among the nation's top six on the floor exercise. Georgia's Courtney McCool won the floor exercise title with a 9.9625.

Ricki Lebegern

ATHENS, Ga. - After two falls on the balance beam here at the NCAA Championships kept them from a top three finish, the Alabama Gymnastics team bounced back strong, closing out the night with the highest score on any event at this competition, posting 49.525 on the floor exercise.

"After balance beam, when we were on a bye, I said to our senior, Kaitlin (White), 'I want you to go out there and finish off your career with the best routine you can do,'" Patterson said. "And I told the rest of the ladies that while we couldn't win a championship tonight, I wanted them to go out on their last event and show 'Tide Pride', show that they have pride in their program. I'm just proud that they came back and showed what we are made of."

Kayla Hoffman on Floor

ATHENS, Ga. - For the Alabama Gymnastics team, Thursday's preliminary session of the NCAA Championships was all about one thing, and one thing only, advancing to the Super Six Team Finals.

The Crimson Tide accomplished that goal by finishing second in the first of two prelim sessions, advancing to finals for the 14th time since NCAA went to the two- day team format in 1993. Only Georgia has been to more Super Six finals than Alabama.

But there were other things on the line Thursday, other honors and other placings that will come into play on Saturday as three Alabama gymnasts advance to individual event finals and four earned All-American accolades.

ATHENS, Ga. - The Alabama Gymnastics team discovered they will start off Friday's NCAA Super Six Team Final on the vault as determined by a random draw after the conclusion of Thursday's second preliminary session.

After starting on vault, the Tide will go to a bye, followed by the uneven bars and balance beam and then a second bye. Alabama will finish off the meet on the floor exercise in the sixth and final rotation.

Ashley O'Neal on floor 9.80

ATHENS, Ga. - The Alabama Gymnastics team advanced to Friday's NCAA Super Six Team Finals after finishing second in the first of today's two preliminary sessions here at the NCAA Championships being held in Stegeman Coliseum on the University of Georgia campus this week.

The Crimson Tide, making their 26th consecutive NCAA Championship appearance, used a 196.650 to advance, following Florida's 196.925 and ahead of LSU's 196.575. Oklahoma was fourth with a 196.075, followed by Arkansas, 195.825, and Oregon State, 195.475.

We have a new Photo album (and slide show) for the 2008 NCAA Regional Championships

• Photo Album: 2008 NCAA Regional Championships
• Slide Show: 2008 NCAA Regional Championships

Here are a few of the Photos:
(Click on a thumbnail to view a full size picture)

619 kb 01 SR Kaitlin White in bars WU

284 kb 02 Kassi Price mid Hindorff in WU

680 kb 03 Kayla Hoffman pirouttes in WU

ATHENS, Ga. - The Alabama Gymnastics team worked out for just under two hours this morning here in Stegeman Coliseum on the NCAA Championships' practice day, adjusting to the equipment and the arena.

The Crimson Tide, at its 26th consecutive NCAA Championship after having won its 23rd NCAA regional title, also took care of its media obligations, including the championship press conference and sitting down for interviews with CBS, which will air the championships on a tape delayed basis May 10th at 2 p.m. CT.

"We had a good day," Alabama head coach Sarah Patterson said. "We came in and adjusted the equipment and the podium and are ready to get started tomorrow afternoon. I think in that respect the teams in our conference have an advantage in that we've already competed on a podium. I give the Southeastern Conference office and our institutions a lot of credit for going the extra mile and having our conference championships on the podium. It really helps when we get to nationals."

What began with thirty six teams at six regional championship sites around the country,ended with twelve teams punching their ticket for the NCAA gymnastics championships April 24-26, in Athens, GA. The Gymdawgs were mighty in the Northeast region, posting the highest qualifying score of 197.775 of any team on April 12th..

Bengal gymnast Ashley Clair Kearney made her own noise on the Bayou by vaulting to a perfect 10.0 and securing the All-around title of 39.825. The Sooners were tested in Norman, but that midwest wind could not stem the rising Tide as Bama won the South central region and qualified to its 26th NCAA appearance.

Read how the top ten fared at the regional championships and who will be seen in the peach state.

• How The Top Ten Fared at the Regional Championships
  
  

The SEC competed well in the regional championships and will send five teams to the NCAA's. The top four in the SEC (UGA, UF, UA, LSU) finished first in their respective regions, while the Gymbacks from Arkansas qualified second out of the North central region and will return to the championships for the second time in their young gymnstics history. Auburn failed to qualify their team, but senior Julie Dwyer will be in Athens to vie for an All-around and individual championships for the fourth straight year.

• SEC Report: From the 2008 Regional Championships

• Postmeet: 2008 NCAA Regionals Postmeet Commentary

• Postmeet: 2008 NCAA Regionals Postmeet Commentary

(Look for the buttons. Note: Click on the HIGH button for the High Quality Video. For slower connections/computers, choose the LOW button for Normal Quality - about 60% the download size as the HIGH Quality Videos. )

Casey Overton starts the Bama bm at 9.85

The Alabama Crimson GymTide (197.300) secured their 26th consecutive trip to the NCAA Gymnastics Championships in Athens, Georgia with a four event sweep that still left them hungry for more accolades, the best of which will come potentially in two weeks.  During the South Central Regional on the campus of Oklahoma, sophomore Morgan Dennis (39.625) led the charge with her career-best all-around performance, followed closely by sophomore Ricki Lebegern's (39.300) strong effort on all four events.  Sophomores Kassi Price (9.90 on bars and beam, 9.85 on floor), Casey Overton (9.85 on beam and vault) and junior Brittany Magee (9.90 on beam and vault) continued to showcase post-season pluck and grit on their signature events while senior Kaitlin White (9.80 on bars, 9.85 on floor, 9.875 on vault) and freshman Kayla Hoffman (9.75 on bars, 9.875 on floor, 9.925 on vault) paced them with their own brand of polished performances.  Here are more highlights....

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -The Alabama Gymnastics team found out today that it will compete in the first of two preliminary sessions at the 2008 NCAA Championships and will start things off on the balance beam.

The Crimson Tide is seeded sixth coming into the NCAA Championships being held on the University of Georgia campus April 24-26 at Stegeman Coliseum. After starting on the balance beam, it will then move to a bye, followed by the floor exercise and vault. After a second bye rotation, Alabama will finish off the meet on the uneven bars.

Joining the Tide in the afternoon session, which gets underway Thursday at 1 p.m. ET, will be No. 2 seed Florida, No. 3 LSU as well as Oregon State, Oklahoma and Arkansas. No. 1 seed Georgia along with Utah, UCLA, Stanford, Michigan and Denver will compete in the second preliminary session, which starts at 7 p.m. ET. The top three teams from each session will advance to Friday's NCAA Super Six Team Finals which gets underway at 6 p.m. ET.

TEAM SCORES:
1. Alabama 197.300;
2. Oklahoma 195.875;
3. Illinois 195.425;
4. Boise State 194.150;
Southeastern Missouri State 193.85,
Arizona State 193.200

NORMAN, Okla. - The Alabama Gymnastics team took control of its destiny early here at the NCAA South Central Regional Championships and never let up, cruising to its 23rd regional title and 26th consecutive NCAA Championship final site.

"We did our job," head coach Sarah Patterson, in her 30th season at Alabama, said. "We came here focused on getting to Athens and the NCAA Championships final site. I can tell you that even after 26 years in a row, this feeling never gets old."

The Crimson Tide used a 197.300 to win the title in the Lloyd Noble Center on the University of Oklahoma campus. The Sooners finished second with a 195.875 to grab the second bid available from the South Central regional. Illinois was third with a 195.425.

We have a new Photo album (and slide show) for the 2008 SEC Championship

• Photo Album: 2008 SEC Championship
• Slide Show: 2008 SEC Championship

Here are a few of the Photos:
(Click on a thumbnail to view a full size picture)

622 bytes 01 Kaitlin White is topsy-turvy in bars WU

597 bytes 02 Kassi Price keeps her head up in her Hindorff entry

293 bytes 03 Cassie Martin warms up her Tkachev

NORMAN, Ok. - The Alabama Gymnastics team finished it season-long preparation for the NCAA Championships with today's practice for the NCAA South Central Regional Championships here at the Lloyd Noble Center.

"Everything went really well today," head coach Sarah Patterson said. "We came in and everyone's spirits were high, we adjusted well to the equipment and everyone came away from the practice healthy. You can't ask for anything more at this point. We're ready for the first stage of the national championships. We just have to go out tomorrow and do our job and advance to Athens (Ga.)."

Coaches Sarah and David Patterson are in their 30th season coaching the Crimson Tide and have their program at the first stage of the NCAA Championships for the 27th consecutive year. Alabama, the South Central's No. 1 seed, will be looking for its 23rd regional title and 26th consecutive NCAA final site.

Dear Medalist Club Members

Each year the Board of Directors must nominate a slate of Officers and Directors to be presented to the members of The Medalist Club for approval. This year's nominees are distinguished by their willingness to volunteer their own time and many skills to the Club's activities and by their love and support of the University of Alabama-in particular the Gymnastics program, of course! The board proposes that Jack Goertz be approved as President-Elect, and Lance Hocutt be elected Treasurer after completing a mid-year board appointment when the position was vacated. The two-year terms of Secretary and Membership Chair would be filled by Tammy Campbell and Sandra Chaux, respectively. The 2011 Director's class would include with your approval the talents and wisdom of Roger Ballard, Ron Burroughs, and our doughnut king Evan Smith - the latter nominated even though he has yet to bring a single doughnut to a board meeting!

The election of the new officials will take place as usual at the annual University of Alabama Gymnastics Banquet hosted by The Medalist Club and its benefactors, and in a new venue for us-The Zone at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The banquet will take place on Saturday May 3rd, 2008, at 7:00 PM. Please let members who contact you in the next few weeks know how many will attend the banquet with your membership level as this will allow us to better plan for the festivities.

I hope to see you as the Tide competes in regional and National action and in May as we celebrate the many accomplishments of our 2008 team. I thank all of you for your support of Alabama Gymnastics and The Medalist Club.

Roll Tide! Jim Davis, President

• Click here for the full Medalist Club - 2008-2009 Slate of Officers

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Southeastern Conference announced the 2007-08 SEC Winter Academic Honor Roll today, which includes 10 members of the fourth-ranked Alabama Gymnastics team, pushing the Crimson Tide's league-best total to 181 since the awards inception in 1984.

"At Alabama we strive to stand at the forefront, whether it is in the gym or in the classroom, really in anything we do," Alabama head coach Sarah Patterson, in her 30th season coaching the Tide, said. "All of our ladies work very hard to succeed to the best of their abilities and I'm very proud of the achievement this award represents."

Senior Kaitlin White closes out her career on the league's list. The Tide's captain earned Scholastic All-American honors last years as a junior. Alabama's entire junior class, All-American Brittany Magee, Cassie Martin, Amanda Montgomery and Ashley O'Neal, all made the list again this year. Magee, Martin and Montgomery are all two-year Scholastic All- Americans as well.

• Postmeet: 2008 SEC Championships Postmeet Commentary

(Look for the buttons. Note: Click on the HIGH button for the High Quality Video. For slower connections/computers, choose the LOW button for Normal Quality - about 60% the download size as the HIGH Quality Videos. )

• Postmeet: 2008 SEC Championships Postmeet Commentary

• Postmeet: 2008 SEC Championships Postmeet Commentary

• Note: Due to SEC rules, we can only post a few of our videos right now. After the broadcast of the SEC Championships this SUNDAY, April 6 (3:00 p.m. CST - FSN South - SEC Gymnastics Championship), we will post all the rest of the videos for this meet.

(Look for the buttons. Note: Click on the HIGH button for the High Quality Video. For slower connections/computers, choose the LOW button for Normal Quality - about 60% the download size as the HIGH Quality Videos. )