Jan. 27, 2006
AUBURN, Ala. - Despite posting its second-highest score of the season, the 17th ranked Auburn gymnastics squad was not able to top No. 3 Alabama as the Crimson Tide defeated the Tigers, 196.175-194.450, in front of 5,833 on Friday at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum.
Auburn (2-6, 0-2) took an early edge of 49.425-49.100 after the first rotation in the meet by posting a season-high score and the eighth-highest score in school history on vault.
Alabama (9-0, 2-0) quickly responded with a 49.425 on vault during the second rotation, led by Ashley Miles' 9.975, to take the lead for good at 98.450-97.200.
Individually, Julie Dwyer won her third straight all-around with a 39.375, which tied her career high previously set vs. West Virginia on Jan. 13. The Bloomington, Ind., native also placed second on floor with a 9.900 and second on bars with a 9.825.
Lindsey Puckett finished second in the all-around with a career-best score of 39.325, topping her score of 38.875 vs. West Virginia.
The Tigers, who were without injured all-arounder A.J. Mills for the second straight meet, continued to break in fresh faces in all four events. Due to Mills' injury, the Tigers performed two events with first-time competitors and only used a five-person lineup on floor. Kayla Gies made her season debut on vault, while Alicia Lenkiewicz debuted on beam.
"I thought we were great going in," head coach Jeff Thompson said. "Unfortunately, sometimes the kids try harder and it is such a mental sport that if you are not in the same mental frame every time, it makes it difficult."
Opening the meet on vault, the Tigers notched a 49.100, which tied for the eighth-highest vault score in Auburn history. The Tigers' high this season on vault was a 48.950. A trio of Tigers scored a 9.850 as Julie Dwyer, Kayla Gies and Lindsey Puckett led the way for the Tigers. Dwyer's 9.850 was a season high on the event, topping the 9.825 she scored at the Super Six and vs. West Virginia. Gies, who competed in the event for the first time this year and only second time of her career posted a career high. Puckett's 9.850 came a week after she posted the second-highest score on vault in school history with a 9.925 at Kentucky. Claire Seiffert scored a career-best 9.775. Karmen Pinckney matched Seiffert's score with a 9.775. For the fourth straight meet Danielle Holtz led off for the Tigers, posting a 9.675.
Leading 49.100-49.025 after the first rotation, Auburn posted its lowest score of the season on bars, scoring a 48.100. After setting a new career high of 9.825 on bars at the Super Six Challenge on Jan. 6, Dwyer matched her career high with another 9.825. For the third meet in a row, Aimee Goheen posted a 9.800 for the Tigers' second highest score. Puckett had the third-highest score for the Tigers with a 9.775. Shanna Somero opened the event for the Tigers with a 9.675.
Auburn entered the third rotation on beam trailing 98.450-97.200. The Tigers posted their second-highest score of the year on beam, recording a 48.275. Puckett matched her career high with a 9.850 on beam. Dwyer had the second-highest score for the Tigers with a 9.800. Somero opened for the Tigers on beam, recording her highest score of the year with a 9.725. Gies matched Somero's score with another 9.725.
Entering the final rotation on floor, Alabama held a 147.625-145.475. Dwyer tied her career high with a 9.900 on floor. Previously, she scored a 9.900 on March 19, 2005 at Texas Women's. Puckett scored the second highest score of the season for the Tigers as she finished with a 9.850 to pace the Tigers. After setting a new career high at Kentucky with a 9.725 on floor, Seiffert topped it with a 9.750. Matching Seiffert on floor was Pinckney, who collected her second 9.750 of the year. Danielle Holtz opened the event for the Tigers with a season-high 9.725.
Auburn returns to action on Friday, Feb. 3 when the Tigers face Florida at 7 p.m. at Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum.