No. 9 Alabama gymnastics scores two perfect 10s, continues hot streak despite loss to No. 8 LSU
No. 9 Alabama gymnastics continued its hot streak Friday, but it was eighth-ranked LSU that got the win, 197.975-197.925 at Coleman Coliseum.
It was the fifth straight meet where the Crimson Tide (6-4, 4-3 SEC) scored a 197 or better and its second-highest score this season behind only the Metroplex Challenge. It was also Alabama's highest home score of the season.
"Meets like this are fantastic for us as we prepare for the postseason," said Alabama coach Ashley Johnston. "LSU has an incredible team. It's close meets like this that really fuel us."
Despite trailing early, the Tigers (4-5, 4-3) mounted a comeback thanks to its high scores on the last two rotations, with three gymnasts scoring a 9.9 or better on the floor exercise and four breaking that barrier on the balance beam.
Here's what we learned:
Back-to-back 10s on balance beam
Sophomore Lilly Hudson had a night to forget her first two rotations, scoring 9.6 on the vault and 9.775 on the uneven parallel bars, but she more than made up for it on the balance beam.
Hudson scored a perfect 10 for her routine, the first of her career.
"It's indescribable," said Hudson. "Especially going back-to-back. But for me, I'm just doing my thing."
Senior Luisa Blanco, a former national champion on the beam, followed with a second consecutive perfect 10, her second of the season, giving Alabama its first time in program history where two gymnasts scored 10s on the balance beam.
Johnston praised both gymnasts."I have never gotten to see that before," the coach said. "It was great to see all their hard work pay off for those two, but also for the entire team."
LSU also scored two 10s, with Haleigh Bryant scoring hers on vault and Aleah Finnegan with hers on floor exercise.
Shallon Olsen continues hot streak on vault
Coming off a career high last week, the fifth-year senior helped the Crimson Tide get going on Friday night. While she was the third routine of the meet for Alabama, her 9.9 was the first 9.9 score for either team. Olsen helped the Crimson Tide capitalize on Tigers mistakes to take the lead after the first rotation.
Freshmen make an impact
Gabby Gladieux and Rachel Rybicki both stepped up in big situations, with each freshman scoring a season high in her respective first event. Gladieux helped Alabama take the lead on vault with a 9.925 in the anchor spot. Rybicki scored a 9.9 on balance beam, the first of her career, and received a 10 from one judge.
What's next
Alabama travels to face no.15 Missouri on Friday, March 3, at 7 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama gymnastics falls to LSU despite scoring two perfect 10s
