Auburn's Suni Lee posts two perfect 10s, but Alabama gymnastics wins Power of Pink meet

Mikey DiLullo
·2 min read
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Alabama gymnastics came back from early mistakes to defeat Auburn at Coleman Coliseum in the annual Power of Pink meet on Friday night, 197.85-197.7.

The Tigers (3-4, 1-2) were led by sophomore Suni Lee, who clinched titles in the uneven parallel bars, balance beam and the all-around, while the Crimson Tide (3-2, 2-2 SEC) was led by senior Luisa Blanco, who clinched titles of her own in the vault, balance beam and floor exercise.

Alabama fell into an early hole following the first two rotations, where Auburn held a .225 lead. Although Lee posted two perfect 10s, Alabama was able to complete the comeback.

Here’s what we learned:

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Teams trade perfect 10s

While Lee got her perfect 10 first, she was not the only gymnast to do so. Alabama senior Blanco followed with a perfect 10 of her own on balance beam. It was the second perfect 10 of Blanco’s career, as well as her first since the 2021 NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional, where she scored a 10 on the uneven parallel bars.

Not to be outdone, Lee followed Blanco’s balance beam 10 with one of her own in Auburn’s final routine of the night.

Suni Lee wins all-around

With the intention of focusing on the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, Auburn’s star sophomore has said that 2023 will be her last season in college. Lee started with a perfect 10 on bars, followed with a 9.9 on vault, a 9.925 on floor exercise, and a second 10 on balance beam in what is almost certainly her final meet in Tuscaloosa, for a total score of 39.825.

Feb 3, 2023; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Auburn gymnast Suni Lee competes on the bars where she scored a perfect 10.0 at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama edged Auburn 197.850 to 197.700.
Feb 3, 2023; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Auburn gymnast Suni Lee competes on the bars where she scored a perfect 10.0 at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama edged Auburn 197.850 to 197.700.

Shallon Olsen returns to lineup for Alabama

The former Olympian returned for the Crimson Tide, having missed each of the last two meets due to an injury she sustained while warming up against Florida. While she only competed on vault, she played a big role for the Crimson Tide, getting the meet started with a 9.875.

What’s next

Alabama travels to Fort Worth, Texas, for a quad-meet next Saturday against Oklahoma, Arkansas and Stanford in the Metroplex Challenge. Auburn returns home to host LSU next Friday.

Feb 3, 2023; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Luisa Blanco is overwhelmed after scoring a 10.0 on the balance beam at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama edged Auburn 197.850 to 197.700.
Feb 3, 2023; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Luisa Blanco is overwhelmed after scoring a 10.0 on the balance beam at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama edged Auburn 197.850 to 197.700.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama gymnastics tops Auburn. Suni Lee scores two perfect 10s