Friday was Alabama gymnastics’ first meet of the 2026 season, and the Crimson Tide brought home a win after scoring a 197.475. This score broke the program record for the highest season-opening score. Alabama beat the Clemson Tigers, who scored 196.55.
“I’m extremely excited about how this team started out tonight. One of our main goals was to compete like it was the sixth meet of the season, and not like it was our first,” head coach Ashley Johnston said. “I feel like our team competed with a lot of poise, a lot of confidence.”
Rotation 1
As the away team, the Crimson Tide started the meet on the uneven bars. After Rotation 1, the standings were Alabama 49.425 to Clemson’s 49.025 on the vault.
Freshman Azaraya Ra-Akbar started her first meet strong as the anchor for Alabama. In the anchor position, Ra-Akbar posted a 9.975, meaning one judge gave her a 10. Ra-Akbar took the event title for the meet.
“I think Aza has an incredible ability to be one of the top NCAA students in the country, and so it’s crazy to say that that is her average,” Johnston said. “I think what I was most impressed by was her having a really calm, collected energy to be able to just do that.”
Rotation 2
For Rotation 2, Alabama moved to the vault and posted a 49.2 to bring its score to 98.625. Clemson posted a 49.2 on the uneven bars to bring its score to a 98.225.
On the vault, freshman Jasmine Cawley posted the Crimson Tide’s highest score, a 9.9. Cawley took the vault title for the meet.
“They’ve been training like rockstars, but I think you never quite know how they’re going to respond to a hype environment like this until they’re in it,” Johnston said of the freshmen. “Seeing them step in and perform with such a natural confidence about how they carried themselves, it’s really cool to see.”
Rotation 3
The Crimson Tide was on the floor for the third rotation and posted a 49.425 to make its total 148.05. Clemson was on the balance beam and made a 49.075 to bring the Tigers’ total to 147.3.
On the floor, junior Chloe LaCoursiere, junior Jamison Sears and senior Gabby Gladieux each made a 9.9 to mark Alabama’s highest scores. The floor title went to Clemson’s Brie Clark, who scored a 9.925.
Rotation 4
Alabama’s last rotation was on the balance beam. The Crimson Tide made a 49.425.
For the Crimson Tide, LaCoursiere and junior Gabby Ladanyi each posted a 9.925 to mark Alabama’s highest scores. This score landed LaCoursiere and Ladanyi the balance beam titles.
The all-around title went to Cawley, who posted a 39.475.
Alabama will be back in action Friday in Gainesville, Florida, against the Florida Gators. The meet is set to start at 6 p.m. CT.
“That’s going to be a tough environment to compete in,” Johnston said. “Florida’s a fantastic team, but I think tonight’s environment really prepared us to be able to go in there and feel confident.”
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