Feb. 10, 2006
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. --- The top-ranked Georgia Gym Dogs survived their closest meet of the year with a win over No. 3 Alabama, 196.625 - 196.575, in front of 14,263 at Coleman Coliseum on Friday night.
Georgia answered its lowest floor total (48.95) of the year in the third rotation with its second-highest mark on the balance beam (49.2). The final score represented the narrowest margin of victory in this rivalry since Alabama edged Georgia by .05 for the 2003 SEC Championship.
"I was impressed with our performance on beam," said Georgia head coach Suzanne Yoculan. "It was just like last year at the national championships when we stuck with a plan and had a belief we would win the competition. It was tough going over to beam with the home team on floor, and Alabama is outstanding on floor."
The Gym Dogs posted just two 9.9s on the night, both coming from the all-around winner Courtney Kupets on vault and beam. Her all-around score of 39.475 tied her career high career high from the home Maryland meet on Jan. 14.
Alabama took the early lead after one event with a 49.325 on the vault. Ericksen and Courtney Kupets anchored Georgia's bars lineup in the first rotation with a pair of 9.875s that led to a 49.175. Katie Heenan scored a 9.85 and Tiffany Tolnay added a 9.85.
Five Gym Dogs scored 9.85s on vault along with Courtney Kupets' 9.9 as Georgia took a lead after two events, 98.475 - 98.3. Alabama added a 48.975 on the bars.
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Georgia had its lowest score of the year on the floor exercise in the third rotation with a 48.95. Heenan and Tolnay led the Gym Dogs on that event as each scored a 9.85. Alabama scored a 49.075 on beam to close Georgia's lead to 147.425 - 147.375 with one event remaining.
The Gym Dogs next host No. 6 Oklahoma on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET. Georgia defeated the Sooners earlier this year in the five-team Cancun Classic.
FINAL TEAM SCORES:
Georgia 196.625
Alabama 196.575
TEAM EVENT-BY-EVENT SCORES:
Vault
Georgia 49.3
Alabama 49.325
Bars
Georgia 49.175
Alabama 48.975
Beam
Georgia 49.2
Alabama 49.075
Floor
Georgia 48.95
Alabama 49.2
GEORGIA INDIVIDUAL SCORES:
Vault
Kelsey Ericksen 9.85
Megan Dowlen 9.85
Ashley Kupets 9.85
Katie Heenan 9.85
Courtney Kupets 9.9
Tiffany Tolnay 9.85
Bars
Ashley Kupets 9.775
Abby Stack 9.75
Tiffany Tolnay 9.8
Katie Heenan 9.85
Kelsey Ericksen 9.875
Courtney Kupets 9.875
Beam
Kelsey Ericksen 9.85
Audrey Bowers 9.825
Tiffany Tolnay 9.575
Nikki Childs 9.75
Katie Heenan 9.875
Courtney Kupets 9.9
Floor
Ashley Kupets 9.725
Nikki Childs 9.725
Tiffany Tolnay 9.85
Kelsey Ericksen 9.675
Courtney Kupets 9.8
Katie Heenan 9.85
 The Georgia Gym Dogs held on for their biggest win of the season Friday night, beating No. 3 Alabama 196.625 - 196.575. |
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