The Talladega College Gymnastics team has made history once again with their remarkable victory at the USA Gymnastics Nationals!
Krystin Johnson’s awe-inspiring performance in the vault has earned her the prestigious title and the honor of being the first-ever gymnast from an HBCU in Alabama to do so.
“Competition breeds excellence, and Kyrstin’s victory on the vault at the national level is a testament to her dedication, skill, and unwavering determination,” said Aja Sims-Fletcher, Talladega gymnastics coach, after Johnson’s victory.
“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.” –Aja Sims-Fletcher
She scored 9.875 in the finals, which allowed her to jump from second place to first, beating Kaitlyn Holland from Texas Women’s College and Sydney Beers from Cornell.
Johnson’s achievement is particularly significant because she is the first-ever commitment to Talladega’s Gymnastics program.
She also placed second in the floor exercise (9.8625) on Sunday and third in Friday’s All-Around event (39.05), earning First Team All-America in all four events. Her performance was remarkable and inspiring, especially for other HBCU athletes.
She is the second HBCU collegiate national champion, following in the footsteps of Fisk’s Morgan Price, who won the All-Around event.
The successful showing at the USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championships caps a successful inaugural season for Talladega College gymnastics, which saw eight-team competitions throughout the season, including competing in Southeastern Conference arenas at the University of Alabama, Auburn University and the University of Florida.