A tie score was not the desired outcome for the No. 4 Arkansas gymnastics team Friday night in Tuscaloosa, but when it comes with the highest team score in program history, its still something to cherish.
In a battle of two of the nation’s Top 5 teams, the Gymbacks rallied in the final two rotations – the floor exercise and the balance beam – to finish with identical scores of 197.525 with the No. 3 Crimson Tide.
The Hogs scored at least 49.300 in all four events, winning three and posting seven individual scores of 9.900 or higher. Alabama’s lone event win came on bars, where the Crimson Tide is ranked No. 1, nationally.
Arkansas standout freshman Priscilla Park finished in a three way tie on bars with a team-high 9.925, equaling Alabama’s Mati Waligora and Shania Adams. The Tide outscored the Hogs in the event, 49.600-49.300. Park was making her all-around debut, scoring at least 9.800 in three events and finishing with a total score of 38.525.
Junior Leah Smith and sophomore Lauren Williams each paced Arkansas on the vault, tying Bama’s Luisa Blano for top honors, with scored of 9.925. The Gymbacks won the event, 49.425-49.350.
Arkansas edged Alabama in the floor exercise, 49.400-49.375, Smith finished with a score of 9.925 and junior Maddie Jones finished with a 9.900, finishing only behind the Tide’s Lilly Hudson’s 9.950.
The Gymbacks shined again on the balance beam, topping Alabama, 49.400-49.200, to secure the tie. Junior Kalyxta Gamiao was the top Arkansas finisher with a score of 9.925, second only to Bama’s Ella Burgess, who posted at 9.950.
Arkansas returns to Barnhill Arena next Friday night to host Auburn at 6:45 p.m., and will be streamed on the SEC Network+. It will be a Compete for a Cause Meet for Arkansas, in which the Gymbacks and Arkansas fans are encouraged to dress in colors that show support a causes close to their hearts.