By Loveth 
Alabama gymnastics head coach Ashley Johnston has been comparing her team’s season to a runway—some teams just need a little extra time to take off, but with postseason play kicking off on Friday, the runway’s almost gone.
The good news for Alabama is they get to start their NCAA postseason journey at home, in Coleman Coliseum. Tuscaloosa was chosen as a regional site this year, giving the Crimson Tide a nice home-field advantage during the high-pressure postseason.
Johnston is excited about the opportunity: “It’s huge for us to host right here. It’s an advantage, no doubt, because it’s familiar. There are so many unknowns in a regional championship or any big competition. But walking into a place we know, with fans we recognize, and everything feeling familiar—it just makes us feel more comfortable and confident.”
Gymnastics is a subjective sport, judged by people who might see things differently, and crowd energy can make a difference. Home teams often score higher, and this has been the case for Alabama this season with some of their top scores coming at home. Every tiny point matters in postseason gymnastics, and home turf can make all the difference when it comes to advancing.
Plus, there’s no travel stress. Since the SEC championship was held in Birmingham in late March, the team hasn’t had to leave Alabama for weeks, while some teams are traveling all the way to Seattle.
For senior Corinne Bunagan, competing at home is a big plus: “Competing here is going to be so much fun. I love our fans, and every time I’m in Coleman, it feels like home. I’ve been competing here for four years now. Same equipment, same fans—it’s just easier to get in the zone and have fun. For us, it’s all about embracing the moment and going big with our gymnastics.”