Jan. 20, 2006
LEXINGTON, Ky. - No. 9 Auburn opened its 2006 Southeastern Conference schedule with a 194.975-192.800 loss to No. 15 Kentucky on Friday at Memorial Coliseum.
Julie Dwyer's second straight all-around title was not enough to push Auburn (2-5) past Kentucky (4-0) as the Tigers posted their lowest scores of the season on bars and beam.
"We had some real bright spots tonight," head coach Jeff Thompson said. "Julie Dwyer was awesome on everything, especially on beam and in the all-around. Lindsey was incredible on vault. I was surprised when it did not score a perfect 10.0."
Individually, Dwyer also won on beam with a 9.850 to go with her victory in the all-around (39.225).
Lindsey Puckett's score on vault (9.925) tied for second highest in school history as she won her first event title. Puckett also placed third in the all-around with a 38.475.
The Tigers entered the meet short-handed and had to fill the void in each event left by freshman A.J. Mills, who was out due to a leg injury. Mills had competed in the all-around in both events this season.
"Because of the loss of A.J. Mills, we had four routines from kids that were going for the first time," Thompson said. "Some of the routines were great, and the others will be next time."
The Tigers opened the meet on bars, recording a season-low score of 48.150. The Tigers were led by Aimee Goheen and Julie Dwyer, who each notched 9.800s. Goheen's 9.800 was her second in a row. Lindsey Puckett had the third-highest score for Auburn with a 9.675. Shanna Somero's opened the event for the Tigers with a 9.625.
Auburn entered the second event on vault, trailing Kentucky 48.875-48.150. Needing a solid performance to crawl back into the meet, the Tigers did just that by scoring a season-high 48.950 on vault. The Tigers' score narrowed the Wildcats lead to .200 (97.250-97.050). The Tigers' previous season high was a 48.725 against West Virginia. Leading the Tigers on vault was Puckett, whose score of 9.925 tied for the second-highest score in Auburn history. Auburn's previous high score on vault this season was a 9.850 by Puckett at the Super Six Challenge. Karmen Pinckney also provided the Tigers with a spark by vaulting the second-highest score of her career with a 9.850. Her previous high came last year against Kentucky, as she vaulted a 9.875. Julie Dwyer's vault score of 9.800 was the third highest by the Tigers.
Entering the third rotation on floor, Auburn trailed Kentucky, 97.250-97.100. The Tigers were unable to narrow the gap, posting a 48.575, while Kentucky scored a 48.775 on beam to extend its lead to 146.025-145.625. The Tigers were led on floor by Dwyer, who posted a 9.800. Following Dwyer's score was Pinckney, who finished with a 9.750. Claire Seiffert had the third-highest score of the event for the Tigers, as she set a new career high on floor with a 9.725. Her previous high was 9.600 at the Super Six Challenge.
Auburn entered the fourth rotation on beam trailing 146.025-145.675. The Tigers recorded a season-low 47.125 on beam. Leading the way for the Tigers on beam was Dwyer, who posted a 9.850. Gies had the second-highest score for the Tigers with a 9.750.
The Tigers return to action on Friday, Jan. 27 when they face Alabama at 7 p.m. at Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum. For Auburn's meet with Alabama, fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.