All Hogs

Gymnastics Program Records Fall in Tuscaloosa

Arkansas Razorbacks stun Tide with best performance in school history

Kent Smith

Gymnastics Program Records Fall in Tuscaloosa
Gymnastics Program Records Fall in Tuscaloosa /
In this story:

TUSACALOOSA, Ala. – Arkansas gymnastics coach Jordyn Wieber did something even more impressive than winning her Olympic gold medal Friday night. She took her youthful Razorbacks team into Tuscaloosa to face No. 3 Alabama and didn't lose.

For those who are unfamiliar with the sport, it's pretty similar to how things are in football. Alabama is really good and Arkansas almost never faces the Tide without taking a loss. Coming into Friday night's meet, the two teams reportedly faced off 55 times and Alabama came out the winner in 50.

However, in an anticipated match featuring the nation's top-ranked floor team in Arkansas and the top-ranked bars team in Alabama, it came down to one final floor routine for the Tide. 

Alabama was all but done. The Razorbacks had just secured a win in three of four events with graduate transfer Sirena Linton's 9.900 on beam and locked in a program best 197.525. Still, there was technically a chance, although it would require near perfection.

With Alabama averaging a 9.838 for the night on floor, Lily Hudson took off on the mat to the tune of "Sweet Home Alabama" needing a 9.95 to come back and tie Arkansas during the meet's last performance. Riding the energy in Coleman Coliseum, Hudson delivered exactly that, snatching a true win away from the Razorbacks, but not quite enough to put Arkansas in the loss column once again.

Typically a the meet is essentially over if the visitors don't carry a solid lead after three events because home team always finishes with floor while the visiting squad heads to beam. Consistent high scores come easier on floor and the slightest wobble on beam can turn into a moment that kills an entire night with huge deductions. 

So, when Arkansas trailed 148.125 to 148.150 following three events, a lead built primarily by Alabama's dominance on bars, there didn't seem to be much chance. If the Razorbacks posted their previous week's scores on beam, which helped set another program record for highest season-opening score, Wieber's team would definitely lose.

However, junior Kalyxta Gamiao delivered a smooth, focused performance to open the event with a 9.925, it set the tone needed to come back and pile on the pressure. Another 9.900 routine from Linton helped Arkansas continue to tear down school records with a final 49.400 event score.

Depending on how California scores Saturday and how Oklahoma performs at its meet Sunday, Arkansas and Alabama could find themselves No. 1 and 2 respectively when the official rankings come out next week.

Arkansas and Alabama will hook up again in Denton, Texas in a few weeks at a quad meet at Texas Women's University along with Arizona on Monday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.

Arkansas divider

HOG FEED:

HOGS' HUDSON MAY HAVE TO ACCEPT NEW TITLE

RAZORBACKS LOOKING START STACKING WINS AGAINST SOUTH CAROLINA ON SATURDAY FOR SECOND STRAIGHT

PORTAL WATCH: FIVE PLAYERS RAZORBACK FANS SHOULD KEEP AN EYE ON

Arkansas divider

• Subscribe and follow us on YouTube
• Follow allHOGS on Twitter and Facebook

Published
Kent Smith
KENT SMITH

Kent Smith has been in the world of media and film for nearly 30 years. From Nolan Richardson's final seasons, former Razorback quarterback Clint Stoerner trying to throw to anyone and anything in the blazing heat of Cowboys training camp in Wichita Falls, the first high school and college games after 9/11, to Troy Aikman's retirement and Alex Rodriguez's signing of his quarter billion dollar contract, Smith has been there to report on some of the region's biggest moments. 

Home/Hogs News