It certainly did not come easy for Alabama.
Of course, that could be the motto of this 2023 season. After Coach Dana Duckworth’s unexpected departure, new coach Ashley Priess Johnston has made a lot of changes to the program in personnel and approach in a very short amount of time.
Her job has not been made easier by a brutal schedule and injuries to some of her best performers — just two weeks ago, Alabama had three freshmen competing in various exercises.
It showed too.
Entering Friday night’s meet, Alabama was siting at 11th in the nation, its lowest ranking in 25 years.