WEST CHESTER, Pa. - Kyrstin Johnson sprinted down the runway Sunday afternoon and flipped herself into the history book. Seeded second entering the finals, the freshman from Baltimore, Maryland scored a 9.875 to win the USA Gymnastics Collegiate national title in the vault. It is the first national championship claimed by a gymnast attending a historical black college or university (HBCU) in the state of Alabama.

She joins All-Around winner Morgan Price from Fisk University as the first two HBCU collegiate gymnastics national champions in the sport's history. 

"Competition breeds excellence, and Kyrstin's victory on the vault at the national level is a testament to her dedication, skill, and unwavering determination. Her accomplishment is not just a win for her, but a celebration of the countless hours of hard work and sacrifice she put into her craft. As she stands atop the podium as a national champion, she not only inspires admiration but also serves as a beacon of hope for aspiring HBCU athletes everywhere," said Aja Sims-Fletcher, Talladega's gymnastics head coach.

Johnson stepped onto the podium three times through teh week and earned First Team All-America honors in all four of her events at the national meet. In addition to winning the vault, she was runner-up in the floor exercise (9.8625) on Sunday, third in the All-Around (39.05) on Friday and 13th in the balance beam (9.0875) on Sunday. 

Three other Talladega gymnast received All-America honors. Kiora Peart-Williams is a First Team All-Americian in the vault, finishing 13th with a score of 9.0875. Alondra Malonado tied for third on the balance beam with a score of 9.800 to also receive First Team All-America honors. 

Alexa Chuy earned First Team All-America honors on Friday, finishing eighth in the All-Around (38.4) and also collected Second Team honors in the floor exercise. 

The successful showing at the USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championships caps a successful inaugural season for Talladega College gymnastics, which saw eight team competitions through the season, including competing in Southeastern Conference arenas at the University of Alabama, Auburn University and the University of Florida. 

SUNDAY RESULTS (Judges Scores)

Vault

1. Kyrstin Johnson, 9.8750 (9.75, 9.85, 9.90, 9.85, 9.90)

13. Kiora Peart-Williams, 9.0875 (9.20, 9.15, 8.90, 9.05, 9.05, 9.10)

Balance Beam

3. Alondra Maldonado, 9.800 (9.80, 9.80, 9.80, 9.80, 9.75, 9.80)

11. Kyrstin Johnson, 9.275 (9.20, 9.40, 9.25, 9.25, 9.25, 9.35)

Floor Exercise

2. Kyrstin Johnson, 9.8625 (9.90, 9.80, 9.90, 9.85, 9.85, 9.85)