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Alabama enters the floor at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convocation Complex with a hometown crowd to support it. With the Tide's campus only about an hour away, the lower section was filled with mostly Tide supporters.
Getting off on a good foot
With Florida and Alabama being near locks to advance, Nebraska was left to duke it out with Penn State, UCLA and Utah for the final spot in Saturday's team finals. Nebraska got off to a fast start, scoring a 49.350 on the floor -- its second highest mark of the day.
High-fives for everyone
Bridget Sloan gets congratulations after scoring a 9.925, which was tied with Georgia Dadbritz of Utah for third highest on the day.
Going above the competition
With its large contingent of fans behind them, the Tide tied Florida with 197.650 points. Oklahoma won the first session with 197.500 points
Sound advice
Rhonda Faehn led the Gators to its first national title last season. This year, she is trying to cement Kytra Hunter, left, and the rest of the Gators spot at the upper echelon of gymnastics powerhouses.
Picking up the slack
Despite a fall from the normally steady Bridget Sloan on the beam, Alaina Johnson scored a 9.900 to help the Gators score a 49.500 on the event.
A little swagger
Alabama fans made sure the Tide -- and the rest of the field -- knew whose house the BJCC was.
He knows
Co-head coach David Patterson celebrates one of his gymnasts completing the vault. The Tide scored a 49.350 on the event.
Staying ahead of the pack
The race for the third spot was tight, Jessie DeZiel was one of three Cornhuskers to score a 9.850 on the beam. Nebraska recorded its best team score on that event with a 49.450.
At the top of the pack
Not only did Alabama tie for the day's highest team score, but Kim Jacob also leads the all-around race with a career-high 39.625. Her highest score in one event was the 9.950 she posted in the floor routine.
Team huddle
While awaiting the results to see who would advance, some Gators take a moment to congratulate each other. As it turned out, the props were deserved with their team score of 197.650.
Off to the finals
Nebraska celebrates with its fans when the announcement comes and its spot in the finals is assured. Nebraska finished with a score of 197.100, .075 clear of Utah and a full point better than UCLA.
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