As Alabama Gymnastics heads into the 2025 season, the Crimson Tide faces a new chapter with the departure of some of its most iconic athletes, including Luisa Blanco, Makarri Doggette, and Ella Burgess. These stars, who were central to Alabama’s recent SEC championships and thrilling 10.0 performances, will not be part of the lineup this year.

Despite the loss of these beloved gymnasts, head coach Ashley Johnston, now entering her third season at the helm, is excited about what lies ahead. “Instead of replacing them, we’re focusing on how we can move Alabama to the next level,” Johnston shared. “We have a talented group, and we believe in our freshmen and the returners making their debuts.”

With a mix of seasoned gymnasts and new faces, Alabama’s lineups will undergo significant changes. “Expect about 50 to 60 percent of each rotation to feature new routines,” Johnston said, adding that while some uncertainty remains, there’s immense excitement about the potential of the team. “They’ve worked harder than I’ve ever seen a team in preseason, and they’re ready to compete at a high level.”

Challenging Road Ahead

As usual, Alabama faces a grueling schedule in 2025. The Crimson Tide will take on all four of the top-ranked teams from the preseason coaches poll and 10 teams in the top 15, including Oklahoma in their first season as an SEC team. Coach Johnston views this as an opportunity to sharpen her team for the postseason.

“Our conference is incredibly competitive, and the addition of Oklahoma has made it even more challenging,” Johnston said. “But we see this as our greatest opportunity. The team will face intense competition every week, and they’ll have the experience they need for a difficult postseason. The tough schedule will help prepare us to be at our best when it matters most.”

The season opens with a home meet against North Carolina on Friday night before a challenging stretch of SEC matchups against Kentucky, Oklahoma, Georgia, and defending national champion LSU. Alabama will also participate in a quad meet in Missouri and Elevate the Stage in Huntsville before closing the regular season at Michigan.

Roster Spotlight

The 2025 roster features 18 gymnasts, including 12 returners and six true freshmen. One freshman, Love Birt, will miss the season due to injury, but there’s still plenty of talent to watch. Key returners include senior Lilly Hudson, who boasts a perfect 10.0 on vault and beam, and graduate Shania Adams, a versatile gymnast who has competed on all four events for Alabama.

Cameron Machado returns for her fifth season and remains a steady presence on bars and floor, although she’ll miss the season opener due to injury. Fellow seniors Corinne Bunagan and Jordyn Paradise are also looking to make an impact. Paradise, who missed last season due to injury, is “mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared” to return, according to Johnston.

Junior Gabby Gladieux, who claimed the SEC vault title in 2023, is another standout. She’s expected to play a key role in the lineup, especially in the all-around. Karis German, Natalia Pawlak, and Rachel Rybicki round out the junior class and are primed for expanded roles this season.

Sophomores Chloe LaCoursiere and Jamison Sears made an immediate impact as freshmen and are poised to continue their success in 2025. LaCoursiere was a regular on bars and vault, while Sears contributed on vault and floor. Gabby Ladanyi, who didn’t compete last season, will look to make her mark this year.

Outlook: Championship Goals

Alabama enters the 2025 season ranked No. 6 in the preseason coaches poll, with expectations high as always for a program that has won six national championships and 10 SEC titles. Johnston’s approach emphasizes growth and the pursuit of excellence over perfection. With her first full recruiting class now on campus, she’s eager to fully implement her culture and vision for the team.

Despite the loss of some legendary gymnasts, Alabama brings back a core group of talented athletes like Hudson, Gladieux, LaCoursiere, Sears, Adams, and Machado. The goal is clear: perform at the highest level when it counts most—at the end of the season.

The season kicks off Friday night with a home meet against North Carolina, set for 7 p.m. at Coleman Coliseum (weather permitting) and will be broadcast on SEC Network+. Head coach Johnston has stressed the importance of starting strong, not just on vault, but in all aspects of the team’s performance. “North Carolina is a strong team, and this is the perfect challenge to start the season off right,” she said.

For more updates and insights throughout the season, visit www.sportviewers.com.