For the first time in dual competition since 2013, the No. 13-ranked University of Georgia GymDogs defeated No. 6 Alabama , 197.275-197.00, at home Friday night in Stegeman Coliseum.
Season-high team marks in the first three rotations highlighted the Georgia victory which snapped the Tide’s undefeated 4-0 record for the 2021 season.
“What a meet”, Georgia head coach Courtney Kupets Carter said. “This is what we should be doing and what I knew they were capable of. I’m so proud that we were able to put it together for a meet. This team has been through so many challenges that I think are only going to make us a great team. The falls, injuries and all these different things— they’ve worked through it all. Today was really that moment for them to just rely on what they’ve done, enjoy the process and be together as a team. You really saw that come through, and I’m super proud of them today.”
With a 9.875 by Rachael Lukacs pacing Georgia to jumpstart competition on vault, career-highs by Haley de Jong and Amanda Cashman gave the GymDogs an extra boost in the first event. Megan Roberts added a 9.850, as well, while Abbey Ward rounded out the first rotation with a 9.825.
Moving on to bars, De Jong continued to shine as she performed to yet another career-high with a 9.925. Marissa Oakley followed suit with a 9.925 to join de Jong as Georgia’s leaders on bars. Victoria Nguyen added a 9.875; Roberts and Ward capped the top five with 9.825 scores apiece.
Two 9.925 marks by both Rachel Baumann and Oakley highlighted Georgia’s third rotation on beam. Further pushing Georgia’s lead over Alabama were GymDogs de Jong (9.875), Magee (9.850) and Katie Finnegan (9.775).
The GymDogs wrapped up competition on floor, where Baumann and Soraya Hawthorne led the charge; both scored 9.900 apiece, a season-high for Hawthorne. Alyssa Perez-Lugones matched her career-high of 9.875, while Roberts’ 9.850 and Sterlyn Austin’s 9.775 solidified the Georgia win.
Up next, the GymDogs travel to Auburn to face the Tigers at 8 p.m. on SEC+.
FINAL RESULTS
GEORGIA: 197.275 (VT-49.250, UB-49.375, BB-49.350, FX-49.300)
ALABAMA: 197.00 (VT-49.150, UB-49.375, BB-49.050, FX-49.125)
VAULT- 49.250
Rachael Lukacs: 9.875
Megan Roberts: 9.850
Amanda Cashman: 9.850
Haley de Jong: 9.850
Abbey Ward: 9.825
Rachel Baumann: 9.800
BARS- 49.375
Haley de Jong: 9.925
Marissa Oakley: 9.925
Victoria Nguyen: 9.875
Megan Roberts: 9.825
Emily Schild: 9.825
Amanda Cashman: 9.725
BEAM- 49.350
Rachel Baumann: 9.925
Marissa Oakley: 9.925
Haley de Jong: 9.875
Mikayla Magee: 9.850
Katie Finnegan: 9.775
Soraya Hawthorne: 9.325
FLOOR- 49.300
Rachel Baumann: 9.900
Soraya Hawthorne: 9.900
Alyssa Perez-Lugones: 9.875
Megan Roberts: 9.850
Sterlyn Austin: 9.775
Rachel Lukacs: 9.775