Alabama Gymnasts Ranked No. 2

Alabama's gymnastics team fell to LSU last weekend, and this week the Crimson Tide finds itself at number two in the nation after two weeks at number one. But it isn't LSU that has overtaken the Bama women. It is Oklahoma. And the margin isn't much. Alabama is just two-one hundredths (0.02) behind the top-ranked Sooners.

Alabama continues to have scores that rank among the nation's best, and it is scores -- not wins and losses -- that figure into the early season gymnastics rankings.

Following Oklahoma and Alabama, Arkansas bounced up to third this week, followed by Utah at number four, with UCLA rounding out the top five.

Alabama spent its two weeks at number one away from home. Bama went to Penn State to defeat the Nittany Liuons and Minnesota before going to Baton Rouge and falling to LSU.

Bama will be back in Coleman Coliseum this week, and the competition will be difficult. Florida is ranked sixth in the nation this week and the Gators will be the Crimson Tide's Friday night compeition. Coach Sarah Patterson's Alabama squad and Florida begin competition at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available through the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262) located in the lobby of Coleman Coliseum, or online at RollTide.com.

The Crimson Tide remains at best in the nation on both the vault and balance beam. The Tide ranks second on floor exercise and tenth on the uneven bars.

Individually, senior Morgan Dennis is ranked fifth in the all-around while sophomore Ashley Priess checks in at eighth. Priess is tops in the nation on the balance beam, followed by Dennis at number seven and senior Kassi Price 24th. Price is fifth on the uneven bars and Priess is ninth. Dennis is ranked ninth on the floor exercise.

Four Alabama gymnasts are ranked among the nation’s top 25 on the vault – Dennis at number three, sophomore Geralen Stack-Eaton at number 12, senior Ricki Lebegern at 19 and junior Kayla Hoffman at 24.