Bama Draws Evening Session at NCAA Gymnastics Prelims
4/11/2005 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
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The Alabama Gymnastics team will start its 23rd consecutive NCAA Championship appearance on the floor exercise during the evening session of the championships first day in Auburn, Ala.
"Qualifying to the NCAA Championships never gets old," Alabama head coach Sarah Patterson said. "No matter how many times we make it, I never take it for granted. It's always a great feeling."
In a random draw, Alabama was grouped with two-time defending champion UCLA, Southeastern Conference foes Florida and Georgia as well as Iowa State and BYU in the evening session which will start at 7 p.m. in Beard-Eves Memorial Coliseum. Utah, Michigan, Penn State, Oklahoma, Nebraska and LSU will compete in the afternoon session. The top three teams from each session will advance to Friday night's Super Six team finals.
Alabama is very familiar with most of the evening session, having faced off with Florida and Georgia three times this season and Iowa State twice. Alabama actually starts the night off on a bye, before advancing to the floor exercise, followed by the vault and another bye. Alabama finishes off the night on the uneven bars and balance beam.
Alabama had the same draw three times in a row on its way to winning its fourth NCAA title in 2002. Between them, the teams of the evening session have won the last nine NCAA titles. Alabama in 1996 and 2002, UCLA in 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2004 and Georgia in 1998 and 1999.
Tickets can be purchased at the Auburn Ticket Office (1-800-282-1957) or online at www.auburntigers.com.
