The Extra Point: What to Expect from Alabama Gymnastics at Missouri This Week

Alabama's "MVP's" of the season have helped the teams' consistency.

No. 8 Alabama Gymnastics is on the road again to compete against No. 14 Missouri.

The Crimson Tide has repetitively done well at its home and away competitions. Although the team lost last week to LSU by only .5 tenths of a point, the team was able to score its second highest team all-around score of 197.925. There were also two back-to-back 10.0 scores on beam made by Luisa Blanco and Lilly Hudson.

The team is expected to do very well at this meet against Missouri. Head coach Ashley Johnston thrives for the team to go big and all out. The gymnasts proved that at their last meet and have hopes of getting those big scores again.

Some strong performers this season have been Blanco, Hudson, and Gabby Gladieux. Each gymnast brings something powerful to the table — literally with Gladieux on the vault table.

The freshman seems to have springs in her feet as she soars through the air on floor and vault. Gladieux even has a double back dismount on beam which is very challenging to do. Blanco and Hudson are also very talented. They both are all-arounders and contribute a large amount to the teams' all-around score.

Hudson is a sophomore, and although the typical "sophomore slump" can be relevant, Hudson has proved that wrong. She constantly is fighting for stuck landings and doing everything with grit and power.

Likewise, Blanco also does everything with power, but most would say she makes it look effortless. Blanco is a very poised gymnast with her technique being perfection, or near it, as she has received several scores of 9.95 or higher in her career. She may even score another perfect 10.0 at this upcoming meet.

The competition between Alabama and Missouri takes place in Columbia, Mo. Friday night at 6 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.

Watch the video at the top of the page to see BamaCentral’s Claire Yates and Katie Windham discuss the upcoming gymnastics meet between Alabama and LSU.