The University of Alabama women’s gymnastics team won the 2011 Division I Gymnastics Championship with a score of 197.650. UCLA was second with 197.375. Oklahoma took third with 197.250. The remainder of the “Super Six” finished as follows: Nebraska , fourth, 196.725; Utah , fifth, 196.500; Michigan , sixth, 196.425.
Although the scores were not particularly close, this was an interesting tournament because most of the semi-final teams were capable of posting scores that would qualify for the finals. Because of this some championship caliber teams would not even make the finals. There was even a hint that a fifth school would be added to the list of previous champions that includes Georgia , Utah , UCLA and Alabama . That did not happen but there were some surprises. Georgia (winner of the most titles), Florida (rated number one for most of the season), Arkansas (defeated Florida twice this season) and Oregon State (PAC-10 and West Regional Champion) did not qualify for the finals.
Beyond the increased level of competition in the NCAA tournament, is the fact that the championship teams were required to compete on consecutive days. During the season, there is usually a week between competitions. Alabama demonstrated the highest level of consistency in both the semi-finals and finals as they were the only team to score over 197 on both days. Alabama head coach, Sarah Peterson, knows something about consistency because she has coached the Tide since the inception on the NCAA tournament. The 2011 gymnastics title is the fifth for Alabama .
Winners of the individual events were: all around - Kylee Botterman , Michigan , 39.575; vault – Marissa King , Florida , 9.8750; uneven parallel bars – Kat Ding , Georgia , 9.9125; balance beam – Samantha Peszek, UCLA, 9.8875 and floor exercise – Geralen Stack-Eaton , Alabama , 9.9375.
For complete results see NCAA.com. Additional photographs may be viewed at whatitlooklike.shutterfly.com.
