Alabama Overpowers Oregon State in High-Energy Gymnastics Meet

Alabama delivered one of its most complete performances of the season on Friday night, defeating Oregon State 197.450–195.825 inside a charged Coleman Coliseum. The meet, which doubled as Neon Night and Alumni Night, featured a pre‑meet celebration of Alabama's 1996 NCAA championship team and a crowd that stayed loud from the opening vault to the final floor routine. The Crimson Tide, ranked No. 3 nationally entering the night, showed why they remain among the country's elite, while No. 22 Oregon State demonstrated resilience and competitive fire despite the challenge of facing a top‑five opponent on the road.

Alabama opened the meet with a steady 49.125 on vault, highlighted by a 9.875 from senior Gabby Gladieux, who continues to anchor the lineup with consistency and power. Oregon State answered with a 48.925 on bars, keeping the early margin manageable. Tide head coach Ashley Johnston praised her team's composed start, saying, "We talked all week about setting the tone early, and I thought the team did a great job staying calm and attacking their landings. It wasn't perfect, but it was the kind of start that builds confidence."

The second rotation proved to be one of Alabama's best bars showings of the season. The Tide posted a 49.475, led by a standout 9.95 from junior Chloe LaCoursiere, who claimed the event title. Oregon State struggled to match the pace with a 48.9 on vault, widening the gap. Johnston noted the precision her team showed on bars, adding, "That rotation was exactly what we've been training for. The details, the handstands, the dismounts - the athletes really locked in."

Beam, often the make‑or‑break event in tight meets, was steady for Alabama as Gladieux and freshman Kylee Kvamme each delivered 9.9 routines to share the event title. LaCoursiere's routine required a lengthy judges' review before her score was raised to 9.825, helping the Tide secure a 49.1. Oregon State posted a 48.9 on floor, showing improved energy and performance quality. Beavers head coach Tanya Chaplin praised her team's fight, saying, "We knew coming into this environment that we'd have to be mentally tough. I was proud of how our athletes stayed focused and kept pushing, especially on floor where they really started to find their rhythm."

The final rotation belonged entirely to Alabama. The Tide unleashed a season‑defining 49.675 on floor - the highest floor rotation score recorded by any NCAA team this season. Jamison Sears and Gladieux each earned 9.95s, while five of the six routines scored 9.925 or higher. The crowd roared through every tumbling pass, and the momentum felt unstoppable. Johnston called the performance "electric," adding, "This floor team is special. They feed off each other, they feed off the crowd, and when they're having fun like that, they're capable of world‑class gymnastics." Oregon State closed with a strong 49.05 on beam, their best event of the night, with Chaplin noting, "Beam is where we showed our character. We finished the meet the way we want to compete - confident, poised, and connected."

Gladieux finished as the all‑around champion with a 39.575, adding event titles on vault, beam, and floor. LaCoursiere claimed the bars title, while Sears tied for the floor crown with her career‑best performance. For Alabama, the win extends their streak of 197+ team scores and reinforces their status as a legitimate national contender. For Oregon State, the meet offered valuable experience and a clear sense of progress as the season moves toward its midpoint.

Johnston summed up the night by emphasizing growth and momentum: "We're building something every week. Tonight was another step forward, and I'm proud of the way this team continues to rise to the moment." Chaplin echoed that sentiment from the Oregon State perspective, saying, "Meets like this make you better. We'll take the lessons, build on the positives, and keep climbing."