Freshman stars shine as Alabama Crimson Tide opens 2026 with a record-setting 197.475, outlasting Clemson Tigers in a marquee road showdown.
The 2026 season could not have started any louder for Alabama gymnastics.
Competing in a hostile environment at Littlejohn Coliseum, the Crimson Tide delivered a statement performance, defeating Clemson 197.475–196.550 and setting a new program record for the highest season-opening score in school history. The total eclipsed Alabama’s previous best opener by .350, signaling both elite preparation and championship-level potential from the very first meet.
Alabama’s performance was balanced, composed, and explosive across all four events, with a freshman class that immediately looked at home on the national stage.
⭐ Freshmen Fuel a Historic Night
The night belonged to rookie Azaraya Ra-Akbar, who made a stunning collegiate debut on the uneven bars. Anchoring Alabama’s opening rotation, Ra-Akbar earned a meet-high 9.975, capturing the event title and recording the top score of the entire competition.
Fellow freshman Jasmine Cawley matched that momentum with a poised and powerful debut of her own. Cawley posted two scores of 9.900 or higher, winning the vault title and the all-around crown (39.475) in her first collegiate appearance — a rare and eye-opening achievement.
The Tide’s youth wasn’t just impressive — it was decisive.
🗣️ Johnston: “Poise and Confidence From the Start”
Alabama head coach Ashley Johnston emphasized composure and competitive maturity as the defining traits of the opener.
“One of our main goals was to compete like it was our sixth meet of the season, not our first,” Johnston said. “Our team competed with poise, confidence and personality. They stayed calm, composed and had fun — and when they get themselves into that place, they perform at a really high level.”
Johnston also pointed to the ceiling, which was still ahead.
“We left tenths on the table. Our stick percentage wasn’t where it needs to be, but that gives us clear areas to dial in going into next week.”
📊 Team Highlights & Event Titles
Alabama’s 197.475 was built through consistency and depth:
- Uneven Bars: Ra-Akbar – 9.975 (event title)
- Vault: Cawley – 9.900 (event title)
- Balance Beam: Chloe LaCoursiere & Gabby Ladanyi – 9.925
- All-Around: Cawley – 39.475
Junior All-American Chloe LaCoursiere delivered across the board, scoring either a 9.900 or 9.925 in all three of her events, while Ladanyi tied a career high on beam. Upperclassmen Jamison Sears and Gabby Gladieux added 9.900 routines on floor, reinforcing the Tide’s veteran presence.
🔄 How It Happened
Uneven Bars:
Alabama opened with confidence, posting its first 49.425 rotation score. LaCoursiere set the tone before Ra-Akbar punctuated the rotation with her meet-best effort.
Vault:
Cawley led the way with a 9.900 as the Tide logged a 49.200.
Floor Exercise:
A trio of 9.900s — LaCoursiere, Sears and Gladieux — powered another 49.425, with freshman McKenzie Matters making her collegiate debut as leadoff.
Balance Beam:
The Tide closed with authority, receiving 9.900-plus scores from Cawley, Ladanyi and LaCoursiere to secure a third 49.425 and seal the road victory.
🔜 What’s Next
Alabama’s momentum will be tested immediately.
The Crimson Tide travels to Gainesville for its first SEC dual meet of the season against Florida on January 16, with a 6 p.m. CT start on ESPN2 — a national stage perfectly suited for a team already performing like a postseason contender.
======
-- By James W. Thomas
© Copyright 2026 JWT Communications. All rights reserved. This article cannot be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or distributed in any form without written permission.
No comments:
Post a Comment