TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Facing its toughest test thus far in the 2024 season, the Talladega College gymnastics team headed across the Yellowhammer State to do battle with three teams on the Road To Nationals Top-25 at the University of Alabama on Friday night. The ninth-ranked Crimson Tide (12-3-1) hosted 'Dega (6-13) along with the No. 17 Minnesota Golden Gophers (13-6) and the No. 24 Illinois Fighting Illini (14-11) at Coleman Coliseum.

The Crimson Tide took the win with an impressive team score of 198.000, and while the Tornadoes finished behind the other three teams, they put up a solid showing with a team total of 191.000 - their fourth consecutive effort in the 191s. Minnesota (197.400) finished second, and Illinois (196.075) was third.

"It was truly an exciting and emotional moment," said Talladega Head Coach Aja Sims-Fletcher, a former Crimson Tide All-American and NCAA regional champion gymnast. "Watching the girls compete with amazing energy and grit in the arena that I used to call home brought tears to my eyes.  I am so proud of these young ladies for their competitive growth and for representing Talladega College so well. It was a moment we will never forget as a team and we are so excited to finish off the season strong next week!"

'Dega opened up on the floor exercise and put up a team mark of 48.050. Alexa Chuy posted the Tornadoes' best mark on the floor with a 9.675, followed closely by Krystin Johnson and Landyn Williams who each posted a 9.625. All six competitors for 'Dega posted scores of at least 9.500 on the apparatus.

Johnson led the way for the Tornadoes on their second rotation - the vault. Johnson tied a season high with a 9.825 on the vault, a mark which tied for ninth individually. Jamilia Duffus also tied a season-best with a 9.725 score, and both ladies matched their scores from one week ago. The Tornadoes scored a 48.550 on the vault, and halfway through the night, 'Dega had a team total of 96.600.

'Dega next moved to the uneven bars, where Kiora Peart-Williams led the way for the Tornadoes. Peart-Williams scored a 9.625 - narrowly missing equaling her season-best score on the bars, and Chuy followed closely behind with a 9.600, as 'Dega put up a 47.100 team score. With one rotation remaining, 'Dega had a total of 143.700.

On their final rotation - the balance beam - 'Dega put up a score of 47.300. Alondra Maldonado notched a 9.750 to lead the way, and Sidnei Heubach recorded a season-best mark of 9.725. 

In the All-Around competition, Chuy posted a season-best score of 38.550, and Johnson recorded a score of 36.525.

All-in-all, the Tornadoes acquitted themselves well against a difficult field of competition as they head down the stretch of their inaugural season. The Tornadoes will have their final regular season competition of the 2024 season next weekend when they head north to the Music City. 'Dega will compete in the Kidney Care Nashville Invitational in support of national kidney month as one of nine teams that will again include some of the best teams in the country. Among the nine teams entered, the Tornadoes will face off against No. 20 University of Georgia (2-7), No. 35 University of Iowa (6-7), No. 36 University of Maryland (12-7), and No. 45 University of Pittsburgh (6-8). The event is slated for Saturday, March 16 at 2 p.m. at Nashville Municipal Auditorium and will be broadcast live on YouTube.



Talladega Results
*Individual Season High Scores

All-Around
6. Alexa Chuy, 38.550*
7. Krystin Johnson, 36.525

Vault
T9. Krystin Johnson, 9.825*
T16. Jamilia Duffus, 9.725*
T21. Kiora Peart-Williams, 9.675
T21. Landyn Williams, 9.675
23. Alexa Chuy, 9.650
24. Mackenzie Butler, 9.025

Uneven Bars
T17. Kiora Peart-Williams, 9.625
19. Alexa Chuy, 9.600
21. Jamilia Duffus, 9.500
22. Krystin Johnson, 9.300
23. Promise Jean-Marie, 9.075
24. Morgan Swaby, 8.375

Balance Beam
T15. Alondra Maldonado, 9.750
18. Sidnei Heubach, 9.725*
T19. Alexa Chuy, 9.625
22. Morgan Swaby, 9.150
23. Mackenzie Butler, 9.050
24. Krystin Johnson, 7.775

Floor Exercise
T17. Alexa Chuy, 9.675
T19. Krystin Johnson, 9.625
T19. Landyn Williams, 9.625
21. Alondra Maldonado, 9.600
22. Diamond Cook, 9.525
23. Jaidyn Bryant, 9.500