Luisa Blanco sizzles in all-around, Alabama gymnastics notches rivalry win at Georgia

Mikey DiLullo, The Tuscaloosa News
·2 min read

Alabama gymnastics returned to SEC competition on Friday night with a road win over Georgia, 197.525-197.325. While the Crimson Tide was unable to score its fourth consecutive season high, it still notched the win in the rivalry.

"We really had to fight for this one tonight. Doing back-to-back away meets is never easy," said Alabama coach Ashley Johnston. "But what we learned as a team tonight was how to be fighters."

Here's what we learned:

Waligora's save sparks momentum on bars

Mati Waligora's bars routine nearly ended in disaster for Alabama (6-3, 4-2 SEC) . The senior nearly fell off the bars, but barely managed to catch herself. Waligora finished the routine and scored a 9.85, but the Crimson Tide improved from there, culminating in back to back 9.9 scores from Makarri Doggette and Luisa Blanco to close the rotation.

Feb 3, 2023; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama gymnast Mati Waligora competes on the balance beam at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama edged Auburn 197.850 to 197.700.
Feb 3, 2023; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama gymnast Mati Waligora competes on the balance beam at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama edged Auburn 197.850 to 197.700.

Olsen's career high helps steady inconsistent vault

Fifth-year senior Shallon Olsen missed time due to injury, but returned to both of her events Friday. She got her night started on the vault, where her 9.95 marked a career high, helping Alabama steady an inconsistent rotation that included three 9.9s but also two 9.7s.

Blanco continues hot streak, comes up clutch late

The senior scored four 9.9s on Friday, including three consecutive 9.95s on the vault, floor exercise, and balance beam. The balance beam score turned out to be the biggest for both Blanco and the Crimson Tide, as her routine not only clinched the meet win for Alabama but also clinched the all-around title for Blanco with a 39.75, good for her second all-around title of the season. Blanco's performance down the stretch elicited praise from her coach as well.

"Luisa really has ice in her veins," said Johnston. "She knows how to step into tough moments and deliver big performances. I knew that, she knew that, the team knew that."

What's next

The Crimson Tide will host LSU on Friday.

Feb 3, 2023; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama gymnast Makarri Doggette competes in the floor exercise at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama edged Auburn 197.850 to 197.700.
Feb 3, 2023; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama gymnast Makarri Doggette competes in the floor exercise at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama edged Auburn 197.850 to 197.700.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama gymnastics beats Georgia, gets rivalry win on the road

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