No. 6 Alabama Gymnastics Opens Home Season Friday Against No. 14 Missouri

After a trip to the West Coast to open the 2016 season, the No. 6 Alabama gymnastics team returns to Coleman Coliseum this Friday, Jan. 15 to take on No. 14 Missouri in the Crimson Tide’s home and Southeastern Conference opener.

“We can’t wait to be out there for our home and SEC opener in front of the best fans in the world,” UA head coach Dana Duckworth said. “Now that we have our start, we’ve been working hard this week to keep moving forward.”

Introductions get underway at 5:45 p.m. with the first event starting promptly at 6 p.m. The meet will be televised live on the SEC Network with Bart Conner, Kathy Johnson Clarke and Laura Rutledge calling the action. Season and individual meet tickets are available through the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262) located in the lobby of Coleman Coliseum or online at RollTide.com.

Missouri comes into Friday’s meet sporting a 2-0-0 record and is ranked in the top 25 in all four events. Alabama is ranked in the top six on the uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise and 21st on the vault coming into this weekend.

“We’re excited to get into SEC competition on Friday,” Duckworth said. “There are no nights off in the SEC, so you have to be prepared and you have to be sharp every time out. We will focus on Alabama and the things we need to do to be successful and continue to hone in on that mental toughness that will be the difference maker in the end.”

Friday is also the Crimson Tide’s Salute to Service meet. All members of the military will receive free admission with valid ID and their families can purchase tickets for $3 apiece.

In last week’s season opener at UCLA, sophomore Mackenzie Brannan made her collegiate all-around debut, tallying a 39.350 for the win. She also won the vault with a 9.9. Sophomore Kiana Winston and junior Katie Bailey shared top honors on the uneven bars against the Bruins with matching 9.9s.

Brannan is ranked seventh in the all-around coming into this weekend and fifth on the vault. Bailey and Winston are tied for fourth on the uneven bars and Bailey and senior Carley Sims are tied for 10th on the floor exercise.

Two of Alabama’s six freshmen – Jenna Bresette and Angelina Giancroce – saw action at UCLA, with more slated to compete on Friday.

Following Friday’s meet, Alabama will travel to Birmingham for its third meet in eight days, when it takes part in the second annual Elevate the Stage meet on Sunday, Jan. 17 at 3 p.m. against Auburn in the BJCC Legacy Arena.