Following Loss to Auburn, Alabama Gymnastics Coach Reveals Reason Behind Upset: “We Just Gave Away Too…”

Alabama’s gymnastics team faced a challenging night at Auburn, resulting in their second consecutive loss with a score of 197.05 against Auburn’s 197.725. Previously, they lost to Auburn with a final score of 196.25 to 196.025. However, the last meet of 9th Feb marked a significant victory for No. 14 Auburn, highlighting their prowess in the gymnastics arena.

Despite Alabama’s efforts to close the gap with a new season-high on the vault, Auburn’s consistent performance ensured they maintained their lead. However, Ashley Johnston, former assistant coach for Auburn and current head coach for Alabama, returned to Neville Arena for the Iron Bowl of gymnastics. Also, she spoke out on this whole face-off at a press conference and revealed the real reasons behind her upset through some genuine statements.

Coach stays positive despite team’s defeat

Alabama’s gymnastics team faced a tough battle in the Iron Bowl of gymnastics. Coach Ashley Johnston provided insights into the Crimson Tide’s performance in a press conference hosted by Bama Central on their YouTube channel. Coach Ashley Johnston acknowledged the team’s performance, attributing the setback to minor errors scattered throughout the routines. In addition, Johnston emphasized the importance of minimizing deductions. Also, she said, “We just had a couple of little mistakes here and there.” “Nothing major, but I think we gave away too many half-tenths on landings.”

The Crimson Tide began the meet with a season-low score of 49.175 on uneven bars, a setback from their previous loss to Kentucky. Cameron Machado, a senior standout, set a new standard for Alabama by securing the event title with a 9.925 score on the bars. Also, the performances of Chloe LaCoursiere, Makarri Doggette, Luisa Blanco, and Natalia Pawlak added value to the team’s overall score. Though they received deductions for imperfect landings and faced the loss, their eyes are now set on the upcoming matches.

What is waiting for Alabama Gymnastics?

Despite their remarkable efforts, Alabama fell short of clinching the event title, as the Tigers matched their intensity with a season-high score of 49.5. Alabama’s score narrowed the gap in the third rotation, ensuring intense competition and audience engagement. The Crimson Tide is gearing up for their next challenge as they travel to Denton, Texas, for a quad meet hosted by Texas Woman’s University on Monday, February 19th, at 2 p.m. CT.

Read More: NCAA Gymnastics Star Trinity Thomas Attends Alabama-Georgia Football Game Fresh From SEC Athlete of the Year Honour

The upcoming meet promises to be an exciting showdown as Alabama squares off against No. 13 Arkansas for the second time, along with No. 17 Arizona and TWU. With their sights set on redemption and victory, Alabama’s gymnasts are poised to demonstrate their skills again.

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