Here's a look at what happened Friday night as the NCAA women's gymnastics season got underway:
Alabama vs. Auburn @ Auburn: Alabama 195.65, Auburn 195.2. The Alabama state rivalry continues in favor of the Crimson Tide, which beat Auburn for the 99th consecutive time last night. The schools will not compete against each other again, a departure from the way things have gone in the past. Alabama clinched the win thanks to sophomore anchor Ashley Priess's 9.9 on balance beam, which came after a fall from senior Ricki Lebegern. "I've never been so nervous in my life," Priess said. Sophomore Geralen Stack-Eaton won the all-around (39.225). (Birmingham News)
Florida vs. Oklahoma @ Oklahoma: Oklahoma 196.25, Florida 195.275. Twelve of the 24 routines Florida put up against Oklahoma last night were done by freshmen, so perhaps this loss isn't as shocking as it initially seems. The difference in this competition was Florida's downfall on bars, where its last two gymnasts fell. But Florida had the top all-arounder in freshman Ashan?e Dickerson (39.35, the third-best ever debut by a Florida freshman). OU's Hollie Vise won beam (9.9) and Jackie Flanery won floor (9.875) and shared the bars title with Vise and Natasha Kelley (9.85). (Vise also tumbled to a 9.825 on floor.) Florida's Dickerson shared the vault title with Maranda Smith. In the post-meet press release, Oklahoma coach K.J. Kindler thanked OU's fans and praised her team's confidence. But Florida didn't seem that defeated. “It’s a starting point and what we have to do is learn from this experience,” Gators coach Rhonda Faehn said. (Gatorzone.com)
LSU vs. Maryland @ LSU: LSU 194.375, Maryland 190.625. LSU senior Susan Jackson won the all-around (39.275), and senior Kayla Rogers posted three scores higher than 9.8. "Considering the fact we don't have our depth yet, I feel very pleased about tonight," LSU head coach D-D Breaux said. "We also took this opportunity to warm up some kids, and their performances stepped up, which is an indication that we are doing the right things in the gym." (LSUSports.net)
Michigan State vs. Penn State, West Virginia and Western Michigan @ Michigan State: Michigan State 193.925, Penn State 193.9, West Virginia 191.225, Western Michigan 189.525. “I am not happy with tonight’s overall result,” West Virginia coach Linda Burdette-Good said. “I think the team has the talent to do well, but needs to perform better in the future.” Bet Penn State, ranked no. 11 going into the season, isn't happy either. Losing to no. 24 Michigan State, even at a meet held at Michigan State, is not a confidence-booster. Nittany Lion senior Brandi Personett, she of the full-twisting double layout on floor seen at last year's NCAA Championships, won the vault, beam, floor and the all-around (39.225). (MSNsportsnet.com)
Missouri vs. Ohio State @ Missouri: Missouri 194.725, Ohio State 190.65. An injury-riddled Ohio team lost another one (Beth Ann Ballard) during warmups and muddled through as best it could. Missouri sophomore Mary Burke won the all-around (39.2), and Missou senior Sarah Shire posted the highest score of the meet -- 9.825 -- on floor. "We know we are a better team than we showed tonight," Ohio State coach Carey Fagan said. (OhioStateBuckeyes.com)
Iowa State vs. Wisconsin-Stout @ Iowa State: Iowa State 193.3, Wisconsin-Stout 173.675. Iowa State went 22-24 and was led by Michelle Browning's 38.8 all-around mark. Next up for Iowa State is Utah on Jan. 15. That score likely won't be so lopsided. (Cyclones.com)
Washington vs. Nebraska @ Washington: Nebraska 195.7, Washington 193.45. Nebraska swept the individual titles at this Huskies vs. Huskers season opener in Seattle. Nebraska junior Maria Scaffidi won the all-around (39.0) and floor (9.875). Former Canadian competitor Kylie Stone took vault (9.85) and shared top honors with teammates Brittnee Habbib and Kathryn Howard on beam. (9.85) Habbib also won uneven bars (9.85). (Huskers.com)
Illinois vs. Oregon State, Air Force and Alaska-Anchorage @ Oregon State: Oregon State 195.625, Illinois 192.85, Air Force 184.475, Alaska-Anchorage 183.475. What a disappointment for Illinois, which is coming off its first-ever NCAA Championships appearance as a team. Makayla Stambaugh of OSU took the all-around with 39.275, followed by OSU senior Mandi Rodridguez (38.875). Laura Ann Chong and Leslie Mak tallied meet-high 9.925s on uneven bars. Illinois's trouble stemmed mostly from having to count a fall on bars and three scores of less than 9.6 on beam. (OSUBeavers.com)
And if you thought that was exciting, here's what's happening tonight:
Arkansas vs. Arizona @ Arkansas
Bowling Green State vs. Michigan and Iowa @ Michigan
Cortland St. vs. Brockport @ Brockport
UCLA vs. Utah @ UCLA
Georgia vs. Stanford @ Georgia
Minnesota vs. Denver @ Minnesota
New Hampshire vs. Rutgers @ Rutgers
S.E. Missouri vs. Illinois-Chicago @ Illinois-Chicago
Texas Woman's vs. Kentucky @ Kentucky
Wisconsin-Oshkosh vs. Hamline @ Wisconsin
Follow Gymnastics Examiner Blythe Lawrence on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GymExaminer.
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