Alabama gymnastics advances to the national semifinals with a season-high score.

In the aftermath of a regular season filled with challenges, tight competitions, and injury hurdles, the Alabama Crimson Tide gymnastics team delivered when it mattered most. With everything on the line in the NCAA regional final, the Crimson Tide surged to a season-high team score of 198.075 to advance to the NCAA national semifinals, a pivotal achievement that signals not only their growth but also their resilience.

For head coach Ashley Johnston, now in her second year at the helm of the program, this was a defining moment—not just for the team, but for the direction in which she’s steering Alabama gymnastics. With a roster loaded with experience, talent, and young potential, Johnston’s message was clear: Alabama is back, and it’s here to contend.

The Road to Nationals

Alabama entered the Norman Regional as the No. 2 seed behind host Oklahoma, the defending national champions and top overall seed in the country. Expectations were high, but so was the pressure. With only two teams from each regional advancing to the national semifinals in Fort Worth, Texas, the margin for error was razor thin.

In the regional final, Alabama faced off against Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Ohio State. The Crimson Tide started strong on vault and never looked back, posting consistent scores across all four events—vault (49.500), uneven bars (49.525), balance beam (49.425), and floor exercise (49.625). The team’s all-around excellence was a reflection of months of fine-tuning, focusing on landings, sticking under pressure, and peaking at the right time.

Season-High Score: 198.075

Alabama’s 198.075 wasn’t just their best of the 2024-25 season—it was a clear statement to the rest of the collegiate gymnastics world. It marked the first time Alabama crossed the 198-point barrier this season, and it came at the most critical juncture. The timing couldn’t have been better, and the reactions on the sideline—from gymnasts, coaches, and staff—made it evident how much this moment meant.

“This is what we’ve been building toward all season,” said Johnston after the meet. “The talent has always been there, but tonight was about execution, about poise under pressure, and about belief. I’m just so proud of the way our team competed.”

Veteran Leadership and Breakout Stars

Central to Alabama’s regional success were veteran gymnasts like Luisa Blanco and Shallon Olsen. Blanco, a former SEC Gymnast of the Year and Olympic hopeful, was nothing short of brilliant. She posted a 39.700 in the all-around, showcasing her elite-level consistency across all apparatuses. Her beam routine, marked by fluid connections and a stuck dismount, drew a 9.950 and set the tone during a critical stretch of the meet.

“I’ve been through a lot in this program,” Blanco said. “To see us come together like this—it’s emotional. We’ve faced ups and downs, but this team never gave up on each other.”

Olsen, an Olympian for Team Canada, contributed big scores on vault and floor, providing both power and experience in high-pressure situations. Her Yurchenko 1.5 on vault earned a 9.950 and drew massive cheers from the Alabama faithful who made the trip to Norman.

Alongside the veterans, Alabama’s young talent emerged at just the right time. Freshman Ella Burgess turned heads with her 9.900 on floor, nailing her tumbling passes with energy and precision. Sophomore Gabby Gladieux also continued her breakout season, particularly with a dazzling 9.925 on floor exercise that solidified Alabama’s lead heading into the final rotation.

Beam Was No Problem

Often the make-or-break event for teams in high-stakes meets, balance beam is where Alabama has had past struggles. But on this night, beam was a strength. The Crimson Tide put up a 49.425, anchored by Blanco’s 9.950 and a clutch 9.900 from Lillian Lewis, who has steadily developed into one of the team’s most reliable beam workers.

“We knew beam could be the difference,” Johnston said. “We trained it with that mindset all week—precision, confidence, and calmness. It paid off tonight.”

The approach was methodical: clean connections, secure landings, and a focus on reducing wobbles. The result was a composed and confident rotation that preserved Alabama’s momentum.

The Floor Finale

Alabama closed out the meet on floor exercise, their most dynamic and energetic event of the night. The choreography, music, and crowd engagement lifted the team to new heights. Every routine was electric, from Gladieux’s artistry to Olsen’s powerful tumbling. When Blanco stepped onto the floor for the final routine, the Tide were within reach of clinching the second qualifying spot behind Oklahoma.

She delivered.

Her tumbling was crisp, her landings tight, and her energy infectious. The judges rewarded her with a 9.925, sealing Alabama’s 198.075 total and punching their ticket to Fort Worth.

Eyeing a National Title

With Alabama advancing to the NCAA national semifinals for the 39th time in program history, the focus now shifts to competing on the sport’s biggest stage. The Crimson Tide will face the nation’s top programs, including Oklahoma, LSU, and Utah, in what promises to be a showdown of elite talent.

For Alabama, the journey is personal. After falling short of the final four last season and enduring some uncharacteristic inconsistencies during this year’s regular season, the team sees this run as a chance to reclaim its legacy.

“We’re not just happy to be there,” Johnston said. “We want to win. That’s the Alabama standard.”

The semifinals are set to take place in Fort Worth at Dickies Arena, a familiar site for NCAA gymnastics fans. The Tide will need to replicate their regional performance—and then some—to make the final four and contend for the program’s seventh national title.

Overcoming Adversity

This season wasn’t smooth sailing for Alabama. Injuries early in the year forced lineup adjustments, and the team experienced setbacks, including a tough loss to LSU and a nail-biter against Florida. But each of those experiences, according to Johnston, shaped the team’s character and resolve.

“There were moments when it would’ve been easy to doubt,” said Johnston. “But these women believed in our process. They trusted the training. And now, they’re being rewarded for that.”

Blanco echoed that sentiment: “You learn a lot when things don’t go your way. We chose to learn and grow. That’s why we’re still dancing.”

A Program Built for Moments Like This

Alabama gymnastics has long been one of the sport’s gold standards. Under legends like Sarah Patterson, the program won six NCAA titles and built a powerhouse reputation. Johnston, a former Crimson Tide gymnast herself, is working to restore that dominance and instill a new generation of pride.

Her recruiting has been strong, her messaging sharp, and her connection with the team palpable. That combination is now translating into postseason results.

“This is about legacy,” Johnston said. “But it’s also about the future. We want to build something sustainable—and it starts with moments like these.”

Looking Ahead

With less than two weeks to prepare for nationals, Alabama will focus on recovery, refinement, and mindset. The training plan will include simulated meet environments, attention to detail in landings, and staying physically fresh for the grueling championship format.

“We know what’s ahead of us,” said Olsen. “But this team is fearless. We’ve already proven we can rise to the occasion.”

Fans, alumni, and gymnastic insiders are beginning to take notice. Alabama’s season-best score has catapulted them into the national conversation, and if the team can ride this momentum, a spot in the NCAA finals—or even a podium finish—is within reach.

The Crimson Tide Is Rolling

For now, Alabama celebrates a hard-earned trip to the NCAA semifinals. The cheers in Norman were deafening. The joy on the faces of gymnasts, coaches, and fans told the story of a team that never quit, even when the odds seemed steep.

“We’re not done yet,” Johnston smiled. “We’re just getting started.”

As the Crimson Tide prepare for Fort Worth, one thing is clear: Alabama gymnastics is not just back. It’s dangerous, determined, and dreaming big.