Alabama Gymnastics Set to Host NCAA Central Regional Championships Saturday
4/13/2003 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
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TUSCALOOSA, ALA -- The Alabama Gymnastics Team already has one title under their belt this season, having won the 2003 Southeastern Conference Title, but this weekend is their most important meet of the season.
Saturday, April 12 starting at 6 p.m., the Crimson Tide will be one of six teams gathered in Coleman Coliseum with the same exact goal - finish in the top-2 of the NCAA Central Regional Championships and advance to Lincoln, Neb., site of the NCAA Championships.
"This is the biggest meet of the season, because this is the one meet that advances us to the national championships," Alabama head coach Sarah Patterson said. "There are 36 teams around the country that have the same exact goal for Saturday night - Be in the top two and move on."
The No. 5 ranked Crimson Tide will be going for its 21st consecutive bid to the big dance and the opportunity to defend its 2002 NCAA title. The other five teams, No. 7 Oklahoma, No. 17 Auburn, No. 21 Kent State, No. 25 Central Michigan and No. 35 Michigan State, will all be striving to make a championship they missed last season.
There will be six regionals in progress around the country Saturday night, which will produce the 12 teams that will make up the field in Lincoln. Alabama has been to 21 consecutive national championships, a streak bettered by only one team in the nation, Utah. Over the 20 years, Alabama has won 18 regional titles.
Oklahoma, Auburn and Michigan State have all advanced to the NCAA Championships before. The Sooners were last there in 2001, where they finished 10th and just missed last season's championship. Auburn's last trip was 1993 when they finished fifth. The Tigers come into this regional sporting arguably their best team since that '93 season.
Tickets are available through the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262) located in the lobby of Coleman Coliseum or online at www.rolltide.com.
