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No. 6 Gymnastics Travels to No. 16 Auburn Friday While the Crimson Tide is very familiar with their in-state and Southeastern Conference rival, it will mark the first time head coach Sarah Patterson and company has competed against the Tigers in the newly completed Auburn Arena
Junior Ashley Sledge, who made her collegiate debut in the all-around in the season opener against Georgia, leads the Tide with eight routines.

Junior Ashley Sledge, who made her collegiate debut in the all-around in the season opener against Georgia, leads the Tide with eight routines.

Jan. 26, 2012

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The No. 6 ranked Alabama gymnastics team remains on the road this week, traveling to Auburn, Ala. to take on the No. 16 Auburn Tigers Friday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m.

While the Crimson Tide is very familiar with their in-state and Southeastern Conference rival, it will mark the first time head coach Sarah Patterson and company has competed against the Tigers in the newly completed Auburn Arena.

"Auburn had a record crowd in its new arena last weekend against Georgia and I expect they'll have an even bigger crowd on Friday," Patterson said. "It should be a great atmosphere for college gymnastics."

While the environs will be new, Alabama is looking for a familiar result on Friday, when it goes for its 104th consecutive win over the Tigers.

"This is the state championship of gymnastics," Patterson said. "It's about pride. Whether it's basketball, football, gymnastics, it doesn't matter; it's all about state pride. Auburn had a great meet against Georgia last week and I think our meet will come down to the last rotation and the competitor again this week."

Alabama is 4-0 on the season, including a 1-0 mark in SEC competition. The Tide opened the season at home with a win over Georgia and followed that up with road wins at the Penn State Quad Meet last weekend. Despite the unblemished record, Patterson was looking for more from her team after last Saturday's meet when the Tide "had some miscues and gave away a few tenths here and there."

At the Penn State Quad Meet, for the second week in a row, the meet came down to the last rotation and the last competitor, with Alabama coming through on the uneven bars, edging the Nittany Lions by .075. The coaching staff sat down with the gymnasts after the meet, encouraging the team to work together to take the necessary steps forward for continued success.

"We told our ladies that you can't wait until the final rotation to turn up the intensity," Patterson said. "They responded with the best practice of the year on Monday."

Junior Ashley Sledge, who made her collegiate debut in the all-around in the season opener against Georgia, leads the Tide with eight routines. She is ranked No. 1 in the nation on the vault and tenth in the all-around.

"Ashley is comfortable, she's confident, now it's just a matter of management and keeping her healthy," Patterson said.

The Tigers are led by junior Petrina Yokay, who is ranked 18th in the all-around, and senior Kylie Shields, who posted a Tiger-best 39.250 in the all-around against Georgia.

Friday's meet will air on a tape-delayed basis on CSS with the first airdate coming on Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. CST.