Tide Gymnasts Open Home Schedule Friday

The Alabama gymnastics team is sixth nationally in the season’s first rankings while junior Sarah DeMeo is ranked No. 1 on the uneven bars after tying her career-best of 9.9 at Missouri.

Gymnastics rankings are determined by season average at this point in the year. Alabama, which opened its season with a 196.450-192.025 win at Missouri, is ranked fourth on the balance beam; sixth on the uneven bars; seventh on the vault and eighth on the floor exercise.

UCLA holds down the top spot in the rankings this week, followed by No. 2 Michigan. Florida and Oklahoma, which are both on Alabama’s schedule this season, are tied at No. 3 while the Tide’s next opponent, LSU, stands in fifth place. Nebraska is seventh, while Georgia, Arkansas and Stanford round out the top 10. Alabama will also face the Bulldogs and Razorbacks this season.

Individually, junior Kim Jacob is ranked 15th in the all-around, after posting a 39.275 at Missouri. Junior Diandra Milliner is ranked fourth on the vault after posting a winning mark of 9.925, the highest score on any event. Jacob and DeMeo are both fifth on the balance beam after tying for first place at Missouri with matching scores of 9.9. Jacob is also ranked 17th on the floor exercise after scoring a 9.875 to win the event at Missouri.

After starting out on the road, Alabama opens its home slate Friday, Jan. 18 against No. 6 LSU. Season and single meet tickets are available through the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262) located in the lobby of Coleman Coliseum, or online at RollTide.com.