This was Florida's first dual meet win in Tuscaloosa since Feb. 3, 1979 – a span of 40 years and 12 days. The Gators made 16 consecutive dual meet visits to Tuscaloosa without a win. The Gators last registered a win in Coleman Coliseum when they claimed the 1985 Southeastern Conference title.

Friday was the 56 th consecutive meeting (dating back to the 2002 NCAA Championships) that both Florida and Alabama ranked in the top 10.

consecutive meeting (dating back to the 2002 NCAA Championships) that both Florida and Alabama ranked in the top 10. Alabama leads Florida 29-25-2 in that span since 2002, but since 2011, Florida owns a slight 14-12-1 edge. This was the first time in the last 17 meetings that the visiting team took the win.

Each of Florida's three road meets so far in 2019 were the nation's top dual of the weekend: Jan. 19 – No. 3 Florida (197.50) at No. 5 LSU (197.425) Feb. 1 – No. 2 Florida (198.025) at No. 1 Oklahoma (198.325) Feb. 15 – No. 2 Florida (197.325) at No. 9 Alabama (196.475)

Florida's three road dual meets versus current top-10 teams leads the nation. Five other teams have more top-10 meetings so far in 2019 (Missouri – 8, Arkansas & Alabama – 5, Oklahoma & Denver – 4) with some of those meetings coming in home or neutral site venues.

Florida's floor total (49.725) shares No. 2 all-time for Florida and is stands No. 2 in the nation for 2019. It equals UF's highest floor tally on the road (also 49.725 in 2013 NCAA Super Six).

The 9.975 for Alicia Boren sets her collegiate-best. She received a 9.95 in 10 previous meets.

sets her collegiate-best. She received a 9.95 in 10 previous meets. Six Gators set or equaled eight collegiate-best marks in Friday's road action: Alyssa Baumann – 9.875 (vault) and 9.95 (floor) Alicia Boren – 9.975 (floor) Leah Clapper – 9.875 (beam) Nya Reed – 9.925 (floor) Megan Skaggs – 9.90 (beam) Trinity Thomas – 9.90 (vault) and 9.975 (floor)



The Gators rush to celebrate with Leah Clapper after she anchored Florida's balance beam set with a collegiate-best 9.875. Clapper was one of six Gators who equaled or set collegiate-bests in Florida's win at Alabama.

.@JennyRowlandUF on Florida's season-high floor rotation (49.725)



"They owned the Coliseum and made it their own."



See highlights from tonight's win in T-Town and hear more:@SECNetwork https://t.co/8cosR3i5Ah — Gators Gymnastics (@GatorsGym) February 16, 2019

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – It's been 40 years since the Gators gymnastics team won a dual meet at the University of Alabama. Tonight, No. 2 Florida became the only the second Gator team – and first since 1979 – to claim a dual meet win in Tuscaloosa.The Gators took the rare win with a 197.325 -196.475 decision over the Tide Friday evening in front of 12,828 at the Coleman Coliseum.Some problems with handstands and steps on landings resulted in Florida's lowest uneven bars total of the season (49.175). Juniorrunner-up mark of 9.875 led the Gators.Florida posted its second-highest vault total of the season (49.30) to take a 0.125 led at the meet's midpoint. Freshmanclaimed her first vault title by equaling her collegiate best of 9.90 for the second consecutive week. Sophomoremade her first 2019 vault lineup appearance Friday, receiving a collegiate-best 9.875 for her Yurchenko one and a half. She tied for second with Alabama's Ariana Guerra and Abby Armbrecht.Floor was red-hot for the Gators Friday, equaling the second-highest total for the event in program history (49.725). Four Gators set or equaled collegiate floor bests Friday –(9.925),(9.975), Thomas (9.975) and Baumann (9.95).Florida closed the meet on beam, using four marks of 9.875 or better to tally a 49.125. Thomas and sophomoreshared second on the event at 9.90.Thomas took her second consecutive all-around win (39.525) and Boren was runner-up (39.20). Alabama's Lexi Graber took the beam win (9.925) and Ariana Guerra topped the bars standings (9.90).Florida (5-1, 5-0 SEC), UA (8-3, 3-2 SEC)Alabama leads the series 74-45-2.On the Gators getting the win on the road versus Alabama…"This team just came in clutch tonight. Not our best performances on certain events, certain routines but overall this team never gave up through the entire competition. They fought with a lot of heart and I couldn't be more proud of them." – Florida coach

What did you think of the Gators performance tonight?

"I thought that we fought really hard for every single thing and yeah, we made some mistakes, but we came back from them and did our best to keep it going." – freshman Trinity Thomas

"I thought we did really well. We took it one event at time and we had some bumps and bruises here and there but in the end we fought until the last routine and we came out on top." – senior Alicia Boren

"I thought the Gators did really well tonight. It's really hard to come out and compete in front of a crowd like this at an away meet. We had some bumps but we really fought for every little thing." – sophomore Alyssa Baumann

It is Gator Alumna Night and many past Florida gymnasts will be back in the Exactech Arena.

The first 3,000 get a free Gators Gymnastics wristband.

No. 2 Florida at No. 9 Alabama

Final Team Totals Feb. 15, 2019 ● Coleman Coliseum (12,828) Team Vault Bars Beam Floor Total Florida 49.300 49.175 49.125 49.725 197.325 Alabama 49.175 49.175 48.675 49.450 196.475

– Florida is No. 2 in the sixth Road to Nationals standings – The Tide is No. 9 in the Road to Nationals standings Florida continues top-10 action next Friday when it plays host to No. 7 Georgia on Friday, Feb. 22. Meet time is 6:45 p.m. in the Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center . The Gymdogs took a 197.30 – 197.225 win over No. 13 Kentucky tonight in Athens, Ga.Check out what is planned for Friday's competition:To purchase tickets, visit the FloridaGators.com ticket site or stop by the Gator Ticket Office (open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.).