Oct. 26, 2008

GALLERY

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - For the third time in four years it was the Goblins that came out on top in the Alabama Gymnastics team's annual Ghosts and Goblins Intrasquad, though the 2008 competition was very close.

"It's a good starting point and we saw some great things out there today," Alabama head coach Sarah Patterson said. "It was good to get out there, in front of other people and compete. We have a better idea of what we need to work on in the next several weeks to get ready for the season."

The score, which came from a point system devised by the coaching staff, had the Ghosts ahead 95 to 93, but the Goblins jumped to the win after the coaches awarded "best costume" to the Goblins' Kayla Hoffman with her purple and green streaked hair, elf ears and vampire teeth, which gave the Goblins a 96-95 win.

"Individually Ricki (Lebegern) and Geralen (Stack-Eaton) both hit all their elements, giving them the high score on the day," coach David Patterson said. "Brittany (Magee) was the top point-scorer for the Ghosts."

The annual intrasquad also gives the Tide coaches a gauge on how far an athlete has come since last season.

"There's no doubt that Alyssa (Chapman) was our `Most Improved'," Sarah Patterson said. "She's really made some strides forward and that's exciting to see."

Among the crowd that filled the spectator seating in the Frances Smith Practice Gym were 10 former Crimson Tide gymnasts, including NCAA Champions Terin Humphrey, Jeana Rice and Andre Pickens. The gymnasts also had a dozen family members cheering them on.

"I hope our fans enjoyed today," Sarah Patterson said. "It really helps to have our ladies, especially our freshmen, compete in front of a crowd in the intrasquad."